Martha Harjo of Oakview Grange honored with National Grange Legacy Award

By The Chronicle staff
Posted 1/13/25

Washington State Grange President Tom Gwin recently presented Oakview Grange member Martha Harjo with the National Grange Legacy Award.

Her family are six-generation Oakview Grange members. The …

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Martha Harjo of Oakview Grange honored with National Grange Legacy Award

Posted

Washington State Grange President Tom Gwin recently presented Oakview Grange member Martha Harjo with the National Grange Legacy Award.

Her family are six-generation Oakview Grange members. The grange is located in Centralia.

The Hilperts were charter members of Oakview Grange #311, helping found the Grange in 1909.

The hall's handcrafted piano bench bears the name of Peter Dortzbach, Martha's grandfather.

Martha's father, Frank "Bud" Townsend, was a 70-year member, and her mother, Eileen, was a 67-year member.

Many fondly remember Martha's mother, Eileen Townsend, as their teacher or their children's teacher.



The Townsend farm along state Route 507 was the original Hilpert farm. The deed bears the signature of Abraham Lincoln. Eileen began teaching in Bucoda.

Martha taught in the Centralia schools for many years. She and her husband, John, reside in Zenkner Valley. Their home overlooks the farm along the Skookumchuck River.

Their son, Isaac, is a teacher. He and his wife, Lindsay, are members of the Oakview Grange. Isaac taught several years in Italy before returning to the local area. Now his children — Martha's grandchildren are — Oakview Grange members.

“Congratulations to this amazing legacy family,” Oakview Grange stated in a news release.

Learn more about the Oakview Grange on Facebook at https://tinyurl.com/kkdr55sz.