SR-202, As Adopted by Senate, June 4, 2008

            Senator Gleason offered the following resolution:

            Senate Resolution No. 202.

            A resolution recognizing John F. and Dorothy West and Lawndale Farm, 125 years owned by the West family.

            Whereas, John Francis and Jane Smith West purchased a 40-acre farm on Duffield Road in Clayton Township, Genesee County on January 20, 1883, for $900.00. Four years later, John Francis deeded a 66-foot-wide diagonal easement across the 40-acre parcel to the Saginaw and Mackinaw Railroad Company for $125.00; and

            Whereas, John Francis and Jane had one child, a son Samuel Earl West, born in the original house on this farm on November 29, 1891. He married Blanche Lawcock from Venice Township in Shiawassee County in 1917, and they had five children, Merton, Audrey, John Floyd, Marion, and Beatrice, all born in the present house on this farm which was built around 1900; and

            Whereas, The farm has been known as Lawndale Farm, as listed in the Rural Directory printed in 1919, where John Francis and Jane were farmers and breeders of Durham cattle; and

            Whereas, In 1930, Samuel Earl died leaving Blanche and the five children to manage Lawndale Farm. In 1934, Blanche married John Talsma and he and his three boys--Jack, Robert, and Keith Talsma--moved to the farm with the Wests; and

            Whereas, In 1943, John Floyd West married Dorothy Gould of Fenton, and in 1944, Blanche and John Talsma moved to Flushing. John F. and Dorothy stayed and continued to farm the original 40 acres, along with an additional 120 acres purchased; plus, over the years, several hundred additional acres rented in the area from others, in addition to a 50-head dairy herd and various other livestock including chickens and pigs; and in the mid-1980s, with their son began growing approximately 10,000 blue spruce pine trees. They had five children, Marcia Morris, Earl West, Patricia Rutenbar, Judith West-Wing, and Jacklyn Brazo; and

            Whereas, In 1983, the family was recognized for 100 years of hard, dedicated work with the induction of Lawndale Farm into the Michigan Centennial Farm Owners by the Michigan Historical Society. Lawndale Farm continues to be actively farmed today, and John and Dorothy West have tirelessly and proudly maintained the over 100-year-old farmhouse, the barn built in 1911, and the grounds; and

            Whereas, 2008 marks the 125th year that Lawndale Farm has been in the West family, and the family is celebrating the historic occasion by hosting an "Old-Fashion Ice Cream Social" on Saturday, July 5, 2008, for the many farming neighbors, friends, and family; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the Senate, That we congratulate John F. and Dorothy West, their children, and all members of the extended family in recognition of their accomplishment in maintaining the family farm honorably for 125 years; and be it further

            Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted with respect and appreciation to John F. and Dorothy West for their long-standing contributions to their family and community.