Author: Erik Wesner

Erik Wesner is the creator of amishamerica.com, and author of Success Made Simple: An Inside Look At Why Amish Businesses Thrive. Erik began visiting Amish communities in 2004 – eventually meeting thousands of Amish families while selling books.

He began writing about the Amish on this website in 2006, and is often cited in national media, including USA Today, The New York Times, and others on a wide range of Amish topics. A native of North Carolina, Erik has visited dozens of Amish communities across the country, and loves spending time with Amish friends and discovering new Amish places.

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Older Amish Folks Singing: “God Be With You Til We Meet Again” (Video)

Older Amish Folks Singing: “God Be With You Til We Meet Again” (Video)

This was filmed in Pinecraft Park by Ernie Bontrager, who made many Amish-themed films before his recent passing. This group of older folks sing a hymn which Ed describes as a funeral song. The hymn has a joyful feel and theme: “God Be With You Til We Meet Again.” Ed filmed this sitting amongst the group which gives you the feel that you are in…

“Amish Bookmobile” Grounded Due To Coronavirus

“Amish Bookmobile” Grounded Due To Coronavirus

Amish children in larger communities benefit from bookmobiles, which travel around their settlements delivering a mobile library to eager young readers. The bookmobile might seem like a relic of a bygone time – especially when we have more reading available to us in libraries, both online and off, than ever before. But for a community of people who are limited by their use of technology in…

Look Inside A Pennsylvania Amish Home (13 Photos)

Look Inside A Pennsylvania Amish Home (13 Photos)

This is a neat and tidy Pennsylvania Amish home of 2,282 square feet, found in the Smicksburg community. There was a second home on the same lane for sale as well, probably the neighboring place. I imagine those might have been related families who moved away to a new settlement together. Smicksburg (Indiana County) is the largest of the Amish communities I have yet to…

Yoder Brothers: Amish Auctioneers

Yoder Brothers: Amish Auctioneers

Yoder Brothers is an Amish auction company run by brothers Willis and Leroy Yoder. I recently came across some upcoming auction listings, and even some videos of the brothers on YouTube. The pair were also profiled in a 2017 Goshen News article, on the occasion of Willis being inducted into the Michigan Auction Hall of Fame: Together, Leroy and Willis operate Yoder Brothers Auctions and…

Amish History: The Ludwig Riehl Story

Amish History: The Ludwig Riehl Story

Riehl is not the most common of Amish names. You’re most likely to come across it in Lancaster County, and that community’s daughter settlements, but even then it is far outnumbered by all the Stoltzfuses, Fishers, and Zooks. The Riehl surname is noteworthy for having one of the more famous “Amish origin” stories of any the Amish carry today. This excerpt giving the story is…

Amish 18-Year-Old Runs Stop Sign While Drunk, Buggy Tips Over, Ejects Passengers

Amish 18-Year-Old Runs Stop Sign While Drunk, Buggy Tips Over, Ejects Passengers

I’m not loving sharing all these bad happenings on the roads with you. But after posting the sad case of a drunk driver who killed a young Amish father in Wisconsin last week, I surely can’t overlook this latest story. An 18-year-old Amish male was charged for “recklessly operating a buggy while drunk.” I don’t think that’s the exact name for the criminal charge, but…

Lillian Fern Stoltzfus 1974 – 2020

Lillian Fern Stoltzfus 1974 – 2020

I was shocked to see this obituary today. I immediately recognized the photo from the back of her book. Lillian Fern Stoltzfus wrote a very nice guide to learning Pennsylvania Dutch called Speaking Amish. I don’t believe I ever met Lillian or anyone in her family, but have known of her for years. I would often see her books in stores in Amish communities and…

Inside An Amish Food Store (21 Photos)

Inside An Amish Food Store (21 Photos)

An Amish store in Perry County, Pennsylvania happens to be up for sale right now. This is Stoney Ridge Foods, which advertises itself as selling both discount and bulk foods. There are some nice photos showing both the exterior and interior at a site called Land and Farm. Amish stores for sale online are even less common than Amish homes. This is only the second…

Buggy Hit By Drunk Driver: Young Father Killed, Toddler Seriously Injured

Via WMTV: LAFAYETTE COUNTY, Wis. (WMTV) – A Gratoit man has died following he and his son were thrown from their Amish buggy when it was struck from behind by a pickup truck. According to the Lafayette Co. Sheriff’s Office, Elmer Stoltzfus, 22, passed away shortly after 9:00 a.m. His toddler son also suffered serious injuries in the crash, which happened around 7:15 p.m. Thursday…

Linda Stoltzfoos’ Family Asks For Prayers & Letters

Linda Stoltzfoos’ Family Asks For Prayers & Letters

The large organized searches for Linda Stoltzfoos have been stopped at this time according to the Facebook page dedicated to Linda’s search (“postponed until farther [sic] notice from authorities to resume directed searches in specific areas”). The latest significant news came from last Thursday’s press conference, in which new photos of Smoker’s car were released, and state police asked for surveillance footage and information from…