HR0050 LRB094 06090 HSS 36812 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, The members of the House of Representatives of the
3 State of Illinois wish to congratulate Elvesta Topp, an
4 esteemed resident of Shumway, on the occasion of the
5 celebration of her 100th birthday on January 23, 2005; and
 
6     WHEREAS, She was born on January 23, 1905, the daughter of
7 John and Mary Wetherall Knierim; she was the seventh child born
8 and is today the only living child; she still owns the
9 farmhouse built by her parents and her brother in the late
10 1800s; and
 
11     WHEREAS, Elvesta Topp has a wonderful family history; her
12 grandfather was born in Germany and came to Illinois in 1853;
13 he served in the Civil War, as did her Grandfather Wetherall;
14 and
 
15     WHEREAS, Elvesta Topp received her education in a one-room
16 schoolhouse, where one teacher taught eight grade levels; there
17 was a daily walk to school for the children, except when the
18 weather was bad and the smallest children were given a ride in
19 the buggy by an older brother; and
 
20     WHEREAS, There were no toys, only rag dolls made by Elvesta
21 and her sister; mud roads made life hard, with even the horses
22 having a rough time going through; laundry was done in tubs and
23 with a wash board; kerosene lamps provided the only source of
24 evening light until the 1940s; and
 
25     WHEREAS, Clothing was made from chicken feed sacks; the
26 chores included milking the cows, feeding the chickens and
27 ducks, helping in the field, and collecting eggs; during
28 harvest time, she would help with the raking, hauling, and
29 stacking of hay; she remembers that the neighbors would unite
30 to help one another; and
 

 

 

HR0050 - 2 - LRB094 06090 HSS 36812 r

1     WHEREAS, She remembers when the family doctor made house
2 calls, neighbors were neighborly, and life was easier; and
 
3     WHEREAS, Elvesta worked as a cook at the Central Grade
4 School for many years, as well as at the Steak House in
5 Effingham; and
 
6     WHEREAS, Elvesta is most proud of her large collection of
7 several hundred elephants that represent her passion and
8 lifelong loyalty to the Grand Old Party; therefore, be it
 
9     RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
10 NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
11 we extend our heartiest congratulations and best wishes to
12 Elvesta Topp on the occasion of her 100th birthday; that we
13 commend her for achieving a long and fulfilling life, and we
14 wish her continued happiness and good health in the future; and
15 be it further
 
16     RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
17 presented to Elvesta Topp as an expression of our respect and
18 esteem.