German Lutherans to Pennsylvania Amish: The Stoltzfus Family Story (Interview & 2-Book Giveaway)
Nic Stoltzfus (S. Nicholas Stoltzfus) is a 10th-generation descendant of Nicholas Stoltzfus, one of the best-known figures in Amish and Anabaptist history. Nic is also the author of a book released last year on his ancestor’s family: German Lutherans to Pennsylvania Amish: The Stoltzfus Family Story.
The Stoltzfus surname is one that most who know the Amish are well-acquainted with, as it is the most common Amish surname in Lancaster County, and found in many other Amish places as well. But beyond the Amish, Nicholas Stoltzfus has an estimated one million-plus descendants alive today, meaning that his legacy reaches well beyond Plain circles.
Nic had the help of a few others in this work, mentioned below. Here is the book description, via publisher Masthof:
German Lutherans to Pennsylvania Amish: The Stoltzfus Family Story tells the story of six generations of the Stoltzfus family spanning over 200 years (1624-1832) as they find a path forward from one faith to another, through many different countries and cultures, during times of war and peace, and through love and loss. With over 150 images and original research, the book paints a fuller picture of the Stoltzfus family and how their decisions impacted the lives of their descendants even up to the present day. Also included is a history of the Nicholas Stoltzfus Homestead and how modern-day descendants saved the house from destruction and restored it.
The author, Nic Stoltzfus, is the current caretaker of the Nicholas Stoltzfus Homestead located in Wyomissing, PA. He is a 10th-generation descendant of the Immigrant Nicholas Stoltzfus, who first purchased the property in 1771. The photographer, Elam Stoltzfus, is an Emmy award-winning filmmaker who grew up Amish in Lancaster County.
Nic has kindly answered some questions for us today about the Stoltzfus story and this book. He is also offering two autographed copies of the book to Amish America readers in a giveaway, along with a bookmark.
How to Enter the 2-Book Giveaway
To enter for a chance to win a copy of the book, simply leave a comment on this post. I’ll draw a winner at random and announce it here next week.
Nic Stoltzfus on German Lutherans to Pennsylvania Amish: The Stoltzfus Family Story
Amish America: Who was Nicholas Stoltzfus and why is he important?
Nic Stoltzfus: Nicholas Stoltzfus immigrated to Pennsylvania with his family in 1766 from Zweibrücken, Germany. He was involved with the early Amish church in America, and his son Christian was an early Amish bishop in Lancaster County. He is important because all Amish Stoltzfuses today are descended from him and his wife, Anna Elisabeth (Bachmann) Stoltzfus.
What will readers learn from this book?
In the book German Lutherans to Pennsylvania Amish: The Stoltzfus Family Story, readers will come to understand the rich heritage of the Stoltzfus family. Unlike other Amish ancestors who originated in Switzerland (Smuckers/Yoders/Beachys, etc.), the Stoltzfus line originated in eastern Germany, and our ancestors were Lutheran, not Anabaptists. This genealogy research, spanning from 1624 to 1832, makes up most of the book.
Part of the book is also concerned with the preservation of the Nicholas Stoltzfus Homestead in Reading, Pennsylvania.
How did you research this book? Who was involved?
We were really blessed to have a great team of researchers who helped with this book. The core of the European historical research took place in summer of 2018, when my Dad Elam, Zach Stoltzfus, Lucy Stoltzfus, Rose Beiler, and I went to Germany to do research in the archives there.
17th-century record book for Lutheran ministers in Rottleben, Germany
My Dad Elam is ex-Amish and has a good understanding of what it’s like to grow up in that culture. Zach Stoltzfus is currently working on his PhD in History from Florida State University, and his wife Lucy has her PhD in the field of Musicology. All four of us took our cues off of Dr. Rose Beiler, who is a history professor at the University of Central Florida and who knows how to read the old German handwriting from the 1600s/1700s.
What are some interesting or surprising things you uncovered while researching and writing this book?
Our trip to Germany was really fruitful! By being able to read the archival information, Dr. Beiler was able to better understand the context of what life was like for our ancestors in Germany. She found small details about Nicholas—such as who he had financial dealings with, troubles with certain family members, interactions with the local religious and government officials—that really helped give us a better picture of him. Because of this, we can understand him better as a complex person with struggles and problems, just like us today.
Another big thing we discovered was the name of Nicholas’ wife. This took research both in archives in Germany and here in Pennsylvania. I wrote about this in depth in my upcoming memoir In the Footsteps of my Stoltzfus Family: A Genealogy Memoir (Masthof 2020, Forthcoming).
Which places that you visited or researched were most memorable?
Zweibrücken, Germany. Our research team had the chance to interact with the Mennonites in the area, and they were so good to us! They treated us like family, took us into their homes, fed us, and helped us uncover historical information that we wouldn’t have been able to uncover without their help. It was such a pleasant experience.
Church of St. Andrew in Rudolstadt, Germany. Photo by Elam Stoltzfus
On a more personal level, it really meant a lot to me to travel with my Dad Elam to Passau. We visited this city before we began our research on the Stoltzfus book, and our reason for visiting here was to learn more about the Ausbund, which is the Amish songbook. My Dad remembers singing these songs when he was a child, and it meant so much to him to visit the castle where many of these songs were written by those imprisoned Anabaptists.
What was the transatlantic journey like in the 18th century?
Oh boy—it was rough! I think we are so spoiled today when we travel—planes, trains, boats, cars (even buggies!) are much more comfortable to travel in now compared to travel in the 18th century.
For Nicholas and his family, they would have been crammed into a wooden ship with other passengers—most of them also immigrants from Germany—and it took their ship Polly nearly three months to cross the Atlantic Ocean.
Today’s cruises offer the plenty of the world at our fingertips—all sorts of delicacies, clean water, hot showers, and private bathrooms. There would have been no such luxuries on their voyage. Cots were cramped, sometimes families had to share the same bed, the water was murky and full of bacteria, bathing was infrequent, and the food was old biscuits and other foodstuffs that preserved well without refrigeration.
What was life like for Nicholas and his family once they arrived?
Our theory is that Nicholas and his family first lived in Lancaster County, likely working on an Amish farm to save up money to buy their own place. In 1770, four years after they arrived, Nicholas and his son Christian purchased land in Berks County. A year later, in 1771, Nicholas and Christian purchased land which included a house, which is known today as the Nicholas Stoltzfus Homestead.
Can you tell us something about Nicholas’ children and some of his notable descendants?
Nicholas died in 1774, having lived in Pennsylvania for less than a decade. In the court records after his death, there are record of four children: Anna, Barbara, Christian, and Magdalena. Anna was married to a farmer named Christian Fohrer and they lived in the Oley Valley in Berks County (today, there is a sizeable Old Order Mennonite congregation located here).
Barbara married John Schmucker, and many of the present-day Schmuckers/Smuckers/Smokers of Lancaster County are descended from this couple. Christian—as I mentioned earlier—went on to become a bishop in Lancaster County. As for Magdalena, we have no idea what happened to her—after Nicholas’ death, records of her cease, and we haven’t been able to find anything else about her. In essence, she is lost to history.
Amish historians at the graves of Christian and Elizabeth Stoltzfus. Photo by Elam Stoltzfus
It should be noted that, according to research by the Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies at Elizabethtown College, the surname “Stoltzfus” is the most common last name amongst Lancaster County Amish. Furthermore, most all Lancaster County Amish are able to trace their roots back to this one family.
As you mentioned, part of this book covers the Stoltzfus Homestead. Can you tell us more on the story of this home and site?
The Nicholas Stoltzfus Homestead was where the Stoltzfus family lived for three generations, from 1771 to 1801. The house itself dates back to the early 1700s.
By the 1990s, though, the old stone house was in BAD shape: it was dilapidated, falling down, covered in ivy, and in danger of falling apart. Thankfully, a group of dedicated descendants (mostly Old Order Amish) got together and restored the property. This effort was spearheaded by the Pequea Bruderschaft Amish Library, the Nicholas Stoltzfus Homestead Preservation Committee, the Tri-County Heritage Society, and Country Meadows Retirement Community.
The dilapidated former home of Nicholas Stoltzfus in 1994. Photo by Sam Stoltzfus
In 2016, the Leader Family and Country Meadows donated the property to the Nicholas Stoltzfus Homestead Preservation Committee. Essentially, the Stoltzfus family now owns and manages the property.
I served as caretaker of the property from 2018 to 2020, and my parents Elam and Esther Stoltzfus came on board earlier this year to serve as caretakers. I currently serve as ambassador for the Homestead, and I am a member of the Committee as the secretary. Our committee is a 501(c)3 non-profit, and we work to preserve the Homestead as a site to share our faith heritage with others. Our largest fundraiser is our annual May benefit auction, always held the first Saturday of May. Our upcoming auction (planned for May 1st, 2021—mark your calendars!) will celebrate the 250th anniversary of Stoltzfuses at the Homestead.
Nic and his father Elam outside the Stoltzfus House
The Homestead is open for tours-by-appointment and event rentals. For more information about the Nicholas Stoltzfus Homestead, visit our website at nicholasstoltzfus.com or check out our Facebook page!
What kind of response have you gotten from Amish and other readers?
We have gotten a positive response from the Amish and other readers. Our general readers love the pictures and maps. For the more hardcore genealogist, I also included footnotes with citations to original sources. It was a balancing act, trying to make it a book accessible for both younger readers and professional historians, but we’ve gotten positive feedback that it is a book that really works for all ages.
As far as the Amish go, the book would not have been the same without their help. In particular, I was fortunate to have the help of the Pequea Bruderschaft Amish Library, located in Gordonville. The historians involved with this group are chock full of local knowledge and they have done a good job of keeping records at the library. One of their members, Ben Riehl, also serves as vice-chairman of the Nicholas Stoltzfus Homestead Preservation Committee, and he was a big help in better understanding the life of Nicholas’ son Christian.
Where to get the book
Thanks go to Nic for this informative interview. You can find the book in several places; the preferred buying link is direct from the publisher Masthof. It is also available on Amazon
Interested..
The book sounds so interesting..I ready everything I find about the Amish..They are amazing people to me..Such hard workers..Some of the English as they call us, could certainly learn from them.
Just amazing..I plan on traveling to some Amish territories in the spring next year..Maybe by then the virus may be under wraps by then..Thank you for all this information..Makes for good reading..
Alberta
Thank you
Thank you for the most interesting emails. I always look forward to reading what you send.
Lisa
Thanks Lisa!
Interested..
The book sounds so interesting..I read everything I find about the Amish..They are amazing people to me..Such hard workers..Some of the English as they call us, could certainly learn from them.
Just amazing..I plan on traveling to some Amish territories in the spring next year..Maybe by then the virus may be under wraps by then..Thank you for all this information..Makes for good reading..
Alberta
Better to understand Amish History
I am interested in Amish history and would love to read your books.
Sounds Interesting...
The book sounds wonderful and I would love a copy to give to one of my Amish friends from PA. Not surprisingly, his last name is Stoltzfus! 🙂
I went to school with a Stoltzfus
When I moved to North Tazewell, VA there was a Stoltzfus boy in my class. His dad was a Mennonite minister here. The Mennonite church was bought by Presbyterians, but I knew other Mennonites that attended that church. The family moved from here before the sale. My dad was a minister here and got to know this man. I always look for Amish and Mennonite facts. I would love to have one of these books.
book give-a-way
Thank you so much for the opportunity to be able to take advantage of this generous book give a way. Being a frequent visitor to the area, it would be an honor to be able to own this book.
fingers crossed !
janet
Deeper look into a rich history
These books sound intriguing. Love learning a deeper aspect of the Amish history.
Book
Another good one. One of these days I’m gonna be selected to receive a book.
Book-give-away
I believe those of us, who are not Amish, can learn so much from their faith and lives in general. I appreciate this opportunity and would love to have this book. Thank you.
Ric +
The true respect for the AMISH.
i HAVE BEEN AN EMAIL RECIPIENT OF THE amish FOR SOME YEARS. I also admire the great quality of the AMISH furniture.
I believe that everyone should be proud of their heritage, as well as their fundamental/religious way of life.
I am not AMISH. but I follow them daily via emails. The world needs to take a step back and admire the way of life of the AMISH and respect them as they continue their path through life.
Book give away
I met you at the Homestead down in intercourse last winter.
I really enjoyed your story.
Book give away.
Very interesting history of the Stoltzfus family
My Neighbor Stolzfus
After I write my comment, I’m going to walk next door and tell me neighbor Mr. Stolzfus to look at Amish America. He is working on the Stolzfus genealogy and has traced roots back to Germany. I think he’ll be thrilled to learn about this book. Thank you.
Follow-up Note
My neighbor Mr. Stolzfus is in this family tree and has the book by Nic, having gone to a Stolzfus reunion / book-signing a little while back. The book has been a great resource as he works on Stolzfus geneaology.
Neat to hear that. Thanks for passing on the word.
Thank you for a fascinating glimpse into your book. Having grown up in a “black bumper” Mennonite community, Mennonite and Amish history has always intrigued me. I would love to be able to read your book in its entirety!
Well I would certainly enjoy reading this book and am hoping it might help me in researching !y great grandparents.
I would love to win a copy of this book! One of my hobbies is genealogy and this book sounds very interesting.
A very good story
Thank you for covering this story. I am good friends with an Old Order Amish family with the name Stoltzfus. I already went to Amazon and ordered the book. I wouldn’t mind having a signed copy if I am lucky enough to be chosen. Mr. Stoltzfus and his oldest son are very smart and enjoy reading. I am certain this book will become a treasure for the family. It’s going to make a wonderful Thanksgiving gift.
Ancestor research
Thank you for sharing how you had a team to research your family line. It’s amazing that you were actually able to go back to the old country. Do you have any contact with your Dad’s family? Are you still doing more research?
This interview is wonderful. Would be very interested in reading this book. Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy.
Mesmerized
I first learned about the Nicholas Stoltzfus House about 4 years ago, as I was researching early American stone structures, domestic, and otherwise. I have been fascinated by ancient and historical stone structures since childhood.
I studied architecture at Cornell, and combined with my love of stone, fell in love with early colonial buildings. I would spend hours just researching online. I finally ended up purchasing a unique historical stone Mill in Lancaster County, which sadly I had to sell last year because of its upkeep. Now I live in a stone house minutes away from the Nicholas Stoltzfus Homestead! I drive by once in a while, and simply pine over its beauty and its pull on my soul. Those who you are fortunate to be its caretakers are truly blessed!
I second this and other comments complimenting the work done on the Stoltzfus House. By the looks of the old photos in Nic’s book, they did quite a good job on it.
Interesting Family History
You are lucky to able to trace your family history back so far and have an actual piece of it still survive in the Homestead! The book sounds interesting and hopefully will lead to some answers where you reached dead ends. All it takes is one reader with some additional family history to assist you with some more chapters– who knows, you may even be able to add an addendum to tie up some loose ends in a few years! Good luck!!
Book Giveaway
I am so very interested in this book…..Being Lutheran, WELS Synod, my Grandfather was a Lutheran Pastor in the LCMS…and having had a fascination with the Amish since I first learned about them when I was in 8th grade and took a trip to a Amish Farm in Pennsylvania.
I really appreciate all the posts and information you give to us follower’s …. Thank you for this opportunity
Conversion?
The Lutheran faith, being one step from Catholicism, began in Germany. What was the reason that your family converted from the Lutheran faith to the strict Amish faith and life style? Where you able to answer this question when you did your research?
Thank you for your generous prize,I enjoy learning about the Amish families and would truly enjoy your book.
I used to live in Lancaster County.
I’m living in New Jersey now, but must truly admit I miss living in Lancaster County. Two of my kids graduated from Pequea Valley High School. I’m planning to come for your auction, May 1st. I miss the beautiful country side, and have always admired the Amish and their culture (and cooking!!).
I would absolutely love to have a signed copy of your book. Congratulations to you and all involved with it. It sounds amazing!! I hope to get to meet you at the auction.
I am fascinated with the Amish work, family, and religious ethics. As a result, this book is of high interest to me. Part of that interest arrises from the fact that my daughter-in law is a Stoltzfus who is distantly related to this family.
I am retired now and spend lots of time capturing images of the Amish and Lancaster County. This has resulted in two books of my images being published by Schiffer Books. They are available from the Publisher as well as Amazon.
Stoltz
I am a van driver and have many Stoltzfus as customers in eastern Ky. Also about 2 years ago my mother and I were visiting a family cemetery near Louisville Ky in which many of our German ancestors are buried. There were lots of stones with the last name Stoltz.
Sounds very interesting
I’m a big history buff, and being Lutheran with German heritage this is quite interesting to me. I’m taken with your insight with this.
Stotlzfus Family
I am familiar with the Stoltzfus family name. I have an interest in making a comparison with their history and my namem as I trace my family name back to the same times. Krahenbuhl. My spelling is Krehbiel, but there are many variartions in sprelling.
Very interesting
I would love to read this book. My family is Mennonite and have done some research of my own on about our history. I would like to know more about the Amish history and how they arrived in the US.
stolzfus
Ahh sounds like a book i couldn’t put down! One interesting bit i noticed was the name Stolzfus/Smoker. I immediately thought of Linda Stolzfus kidnapped and presumed murdered by monster Justo Smoker. Still thinking of her. At any rate loved this synopsis.
book giveaway
I enjoy learning about the Amish and visit Amish communities as often as possible. Something about the Amish community gives me a sense of peace and
serenity.
It will be such a pleasure on either having an oppurtunity, to possibly obtain an autographed copy or purchasing a copy. I enjoy history very much. I grew up in Western Pa. But now live in the Tampa area.
We have a sect in Sarasota, and I think they are mostly Byers.
Thanks,
Eddie
Book Giveaway
I love to read about the Amish Culture. My Great Great Grandmother was Pennsylvania Dutch and I am trying to collect my genealogy history. I would love to be considered for this book giveaway
exciting book giveaway
This project sounds so exciting! We live in NJ and go to Lancaster at least 2-3x/year. It is definitely my idea of Paradise and I love learning more about the Amish. We have been blessed to get to know a few folks there but I am always in the market for more knowledge. And the history of the folks in the area is right up my alley. My mom is German and she enjoys speaking with the locals and learning new words from them. Thank you for the opportunity to win an autographed book!
Preserving History
I have been interested in the Amish since I was a young girl as my Mom grew up in Lancaster, PA. I also have German roots and live learning about them. I would LOVE to read this book and learn more about the Stoltzfus family – that was our very favorite restaurant to visit until it closed but we still visit the store and purchase our favorite sausage when we visit!
Stoltzfus book give away
I would very much like to read the book.
Thanks for all the information on your name.
Interested
I have become friends with 2 generations of Stoltzfus. And I am trully grateful to have gotten to know Elam and Nic thru the years. They put their whole heart into what they do. I would love to learn more about there heritage. Best wishes to you guys.
German Lutherans to Pennsylvania Amish: The Stoltzfus Family Story
While I’m not a Stoltzfus, I had a brother and sister who married Stoltzfus siblings. So I have a lot of Stoltzfus nieces and nephews. As a history and genealogy buff, I find the title of this book very intriguing. I am wondering how the alternate spelling “Stoltzfoos”, as in the Linda Stoltzfoos case, came about. Perhaps this book sheds light on this.
Cool
Sounds like a great read.
Stoltzfus family history
We have visited many Amish communities throughout the eastern and Midwestern US, and always enjoy learning more about the Amish. In October, we visited Harmony, MN. The book is one that I will add to my reading list. Thank you.
History is fascinating
Nothing like a good read of history and religion of a family.
Lancaster county
We used to visit Lancaster and the various Amish site frequently till about 10 years ago when we became too old to travel. We live in British Columbia, Canada
My wife and I have very fond memories of these times. The restaurants, the stores, quilting and the excellent woodwork the Amish produce. We must have made at least had a dozen visits. We enjoyed them all!
What a legacy!
Wow!
What a wonderful legacy the Stoltzfus Family has!
It sounds like they really enjoyed the process of genealogical research. It’s great to have such a broad recorded family history!
The Irish branch of my family (not Amish) came from Ireland and first settled in the Lancaster Pennsylvania area. Family then moved to Holmes County Ohio and Elkhart County Indiana. These areas have high Amish populations. I spent time shopping in Shipshewana and enjoyed the sale days in summer. I now live in Central Indiana. The Amish remind me of home. I enjoy all history. Thank you for the article.
Lutheran connection
I was intrigued by this statement–Stoltzfus line originated in eastern Germany, and our ancestors were Lutheran–because I have never understood how my Pennsylvania Dutch family was Lutheran yet resembled the Amish. Do you know how or why your Lutheran ancestors became Amish? I know that mine (three Raub brothers) arrived in 1732 and settled in the area of N. Buck Co. and S. Lehigh Co., and generations later my grandparents still spoke the language at home, cooked and baked the same foods, and my grandmother even used the same apron pattern.
Book
How very interesting. Would love a copy
I have always wondered if Pennsylvania Dutch is the same language as Low German. Does anyone know?
It’s a different language. While some call PA Dutch a dialect, others, such as linguist Mark Louden, consider it its own language. Here’s more: https://amishamerica.com/mark-louden-on-pennsylvania-dutch-the-story-of-an-american-language-interview-book-giveaway/
Stoltzfus homestead
They’ve done an amazing job restoring the homestead. I live minutes away from it and remember the rough shape it was in years ago. As a family genealogist and lover of local history it is wonderful to see families work to preserve their history. My ancestor came to Reading, Berks Co (just down river from the homestead) during the same time period as Nicholas and have often wondered whether they ever crossed paths in old Reading Town.
Keep up the good work.
Thanks
I love the information and photos about the book. Can’t wait to read it. Thanks for all your emails. I always look forward to them