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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Buggy Wreck Sends Two Amish Children To Hospital With Head Injuries. Crash Under Investigation; “Charges Are Pending”

Buggy Wreck Sends Two Amish Children To Hospital With Head Injuries. Crash Under Investigation; “Charges Are Pending”

From CNY Central: CLAYTON, N.Y. — The New York State Police are investigating an amish buggy crash in Jefferson County which sent two young children to the hospital. On June 11, 2025, at 3:46 p.m. State Police responded to County Route 3 in the town of Clayton for a vehicle collision. Investigation revealed that a 2023 Dodge Challenger was traveling westbound on County Route 3…

Michigan County Welcomes New Amish Community (3 Things of Note)

Michigan County Welcomes New Amish Community (3 Things of Note)

A township in Ogenaw County, Michigan is welcoming a new Amish settlement. And by the sound of the report at the Ogemaw County Herald, they are getting quite a warm welcome indeed. Edwards Township Treasurer Ellen Fournier had this to say: “The township would like to welcome them and we want to make everyone aware that there are a lot of new families out here,”…

Amish Mother Murder Trial – Day Two: Burglaries, Red Jeep, DNA Evidence & More

Amish Mother Murder Trial – Day Two: Burglaries, Red Jeep, DNA Evidence & More

Yesterday (June 10th) was Day Two of the trial of Shawn C. Cranston for the killing of Rebekah Byler and her unborn child, ongoing in the Crawford County, Pennsylvania Judicial Center (here’s Day One if you missed it). Testimony focused on a red Jeep seen at the Byler’s residence on the morning she was killed, his DNA which was found on part of a glove…

Amish Mother Murder Trial – Day One: Husband Andy Byler Testifies (Updated)

Amish Mother Murder Trial – Day One: Husband Andy Byler Testifies (Updated)

The trial of Shawn C. Cranston began yesterday at 1pm, following jury selection. I’ve pulled from reporting from several sources to provide a rundown of the first day of trial. The judge expects the trial to take several days. Rebekah Byler’s husband Andy Byler testified yesterday, as did the first officer on the scene of her murder as well as a forensic state trooper. First,…

Inside a Cozy Amish Modular Home (15 Photos)

Inside a Cozy Amish Modular Home (15 Photos)

Now for something a bit different – an Amish-owned modular home. It’s not the first modular or mobile home we’ve featured (by my count, it’s the third), but I’d say it’s the coziest – hence the title. This one comes to us from Princeton, Missouri (Mercer County), home to a pair of Amish communities – one a good-sized one of over 600 people. Sometimes people are…

Amish Mother Murder Case: Jury Selection Happening as Trial (Finally) Proceeds

Amish Mother Murder Case: Jury Selection Happening as Trial (Finally) Proceeds

After three prior postponements, it looks like the trial of Shawn C. Cranston is happening. Cranston faces trial for the murder of Amish woman Rebekah Byler and her unborn child, soon set to proceed in Crawford County, Pennsylvania. Jury selection is happening today (June 9), according to the Erie Times-News: In jail without bond since his March 2, 2024, arraignment, Cranston, 53, returned to a…

Lancaster County: 10 Amish Country Tours & Experiences For Your Visit

Lancaster County: 10 Amish Country Tours & Experiences For Your Visit

Lancaster County, Pennsylvania is home to the largest and best-known Amish community in the country. It’s a place where traditional ways of life thrive alongside the modern world, offering an opportunity for cultural connection. From buggy rides and farm visits to family dinners and scenic train rides, there’s no shortage of meaningful ways to experience Amish Country. Here are 10 engaging tours and activities that…

New Song From Ben & Rose: “Lord I Don’t Need A Mansion”

New Song From Ben & Rose: “Lord I Don’t Need A Mansion”

Well so they teased us with one great song…and then delivered another great song – nice one there guys! 😉 Several days ago, I posted a 23-second clip that Ben & Rose released of a new song they are apparently working on (a cover of “Dream of Me”) – expecting that the full version would be out soon. But instead of that, they’ve just released…

The Twin Sister Actually Driving In Deadly Amish Crash…Will Now Plead Guilty Too

The Twin Sister Actually Driving In Deadly Amish Crash…Will Now Plead Guilty Too

Sarah Beth Petersen was the sister who tried to take the fall for the car-buggy crash which killed two Amish girls in Fillmore County, Minnesota. She pleaded guilty in February and was later sentenced to three months in jail. Now the sister who was actually driving, Samantha Petersen, has decided to plead guilty as well, forgoing a trial which had been scheduled to begin in…

Amish Boy Severely Injured – When Startled Horse Turns Into Path Of 18-Wheeler

Amish Boy Severely Injured – When Startled Horse Turns Into Path Of 18-Wheeler

It was initially reported Wednesday that “a child was severely injured in a crash involving a horse and buggy in Lancaster County Wednesday morning.” Now there are more details on how the crash occurred – due to a startled horse. From Fox 43: LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. — Update (Thursday, June 5 at 3:15 a.m.): Pa. State Police announced that the crash occurred when the horse…