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Top Celebrities Embracing Amish Roots

By - December 13, 2023, 12:16 am

Amish culture is known for its simplicity, traditional lifestyle, and strong commitment to religious beliefs. While the Amish community prioritizes privacy and is generally not involved in the entertainment industry, there have been a few notable individuals of Amish heritage who have gained recognition. Here are 10 popular celebrities and notable people from Amish ethnicity:

  • 1. Kate Stoltz: Kate Stoltz gained fame through the reality TV show “Breaking Amish” and later became a successful fashion model and designer.
  • 2. Jeremiah Raber: Also known from “Breaking Amish,” Jeremiah Raber is an entrepreneur and reality TV personality who often speaks about his experiences growing up in an Amish community.
  • 3. Miriam Schapiro: Miriam Schapiro was an artist and one of the founders of the feminist art movement. She drew inspiration from her Amish heritage in some of her works.
  • 4. Sarah Miller: A popular author, Sarah Miller has written numerous books, including several historical novels based on Amish life.
  • 5. Lee Stoltzfus: As a cast member of the reality TV show “Amish Mafia,” Lee Stoltzfus became well-known for his portrayal of an enforcer for the Amish community.
  • 6. A. O. Zook: An Amish author and historian, A. O. Zook has written several books about the Amish lifestyle, customs, and traditions.
  • 7. Mary Miller: A prominent lawyer, Mary Miller has served as a U.S. Attorney and has advocated for the rights of Amish communities.
  • 8. Suzanne Woods Fisher: Suzanne Woods Fisher is a bestselling author of Amish fiction novels, known for her heartfelt and inspiring storytelling.
  • 9. Jonas Stoltzfus: As a popular furniture maker, Jonas Stoltzfus continues the Amish tradition of craftsmanship and woodworking, creating beautiful handmade pieces.
  • 10. Daniel Glick: With his background as an ex-Amish, Daniel Glick has become a respected journalist and author, shedding light on the Amish way of life.

Most Famous Amish People

Amish’s Three Pinnacle Historical Inheritances

The Amish community is a fascinating group of people known for their simplicity, strong faith, and distinct way of life. Rooted in their Swiss Anabaptist heritage, the Amish have managed to preserve many centuries-old traditions and principles. Today, they are recognized for their unique practices and beliefs that have been passed down through generations. Let’s delve into three of the most well-known historical inheritances associated with the Amish heritage.

1. Plain Dress

One of the most recognizable aspects of the Amish community is their distinctive style of dress. Amish dress modestly as a reflection of their belief in humility and separation from the world. Traditional Amish clothing is plain and does not include any decorative elements or modern fashion trends. Men typically wear dark trousers, suspenders, a plain shirt, and a broad-brimmed hat. Women wear solid-colored dresses with long sleeves, aprons, and a prayer cap or bonnet. The Amish dress code has remained relatively unchanged over the centuries, allowing the community to maintain a strong sense of identity.

2. Horse and Buggy

The Amish prefer to live a life detached from modern conveniences, including automobiles. Instead, they rely on horse and buggy as their main mode of transportation. This practice stems from their desire to distance themselves from unnecessary dependence on technology and worldly possessions. The slow pace of travel in a horse-drawn buggy promotes a simpler, more contemplative way of life, allowing the Amish to remain connected with their community and surrounding nature.

3. Community Bonds

Strong community bonds are at the core of Amish life. Amish communities are typically tight-knit, with members working together closely to support and rely on one another. They follow the principle of mutual aid, where the community comes together to help those in need without the assistance of government social programs. From barn-raising events to quilting bees, the Amish continuously demonstrate their commitment to unity and cooperation.

Historical Inheritances:

  • The Amish have a distinctive style of plain dress, which helps them maintain a strong sense of identity and belief in humility.
  • They embrace a simpler way of life by using horse and buggy for transportation, distancing themselves from modern technology.
  • The Amish community bonds are built upon mutual aid, unity, and cooperation, shunning external assistance in favor of relying on their close-knit community.

The Amish have successfully preserved these historical inheritances through the passing down of traditions and principles from one generation to the next. Their commitment to simplicity, faith, and community remains strong despite the rapid changes in the world around them. The Amish heritage serves as a unique testament to the strength of cultural identity and the power of longstanding traditions.

The Amish (; Pennsylvania German: Amisch; German: Amische), formally the Old Order Amish, are a group of traditionalist Anabaptist Christian church fellowships with Swiss German and Alsatian origins. They are closely related to Mennonite churches, a separate Anabaptist denomination. The Amish are known for simple living, plain dress, Christian pacifism, and slowness to adopt many conveniences of modern technology, with a view neither to interrupt family time, nor replace face-to-face conversations whenever possible, and a view to maintain self-sufficiency. The Amish value rural life, manual labor, humility and Gelassenheit (submission to God's will). The Amish church began with a schism in Switzerland within a group of Swiss and Alsatian Mennonite Anabaptists in 1693 led by Jakob Ammann. Those who followed Ammann became known as Amish. In the second half of the 19th century, the Amish divided into Old Order Amish and Amish Mennonites; the latter do not abstain from using motor cars, whereas the Old Order Amish retained much of their traditional culture. When people refer to the Amish today, they normally refer to the Old Order Amish, though there are other subgroups of Amish. In the early 18th century, many Amish and Mennonites immigrated to Pennsylvania for a variety of reasons. Today, the Old Order Amish, the New Order Amish, and the Old Beachy Amish as well as Old Order Mennonites continue to speak Pennsylvania Dutch, although two different Alemannic dialects are used by Old Order Amish in Adams and Allen counties in Indiana. As of 2023, over 377,000 Old Order Amish lived in the United States, and about 6,000 lived in Canada: a population that is rapidly growing, even though most Amish clearly seem to use some form of birth control, a fact that generally is not discussed among the Amish. This is indicated by the fact that the number of children systematically increases in correlation with the conservatism of a congregation: the more conservative, the more children. Amish church groups seek to maintain a degree of separation from the non-Amish world. Non-Amish people are generally referred to as "English" by the Amish, and outside influences are often described as "worldly". Amish church membership begins with adult baptism, usually between the ages of 16 and 23. Church districts have between 20 and 40 families, and worship services are held every other Sunday in a member's home or barn. The rules of the church, the Ordnung, which differs to some extent between different districts, are reviewed twice a year by all members of the church. The Ordnung must be observed by every member and covers many aspects of day-to-day living, including prohibitions or limitations on the use of power-line electricity, telephones, and automobiles, as well as regulations on clothing. Generally, a heavy emphasis is placed on church and family relationships. The Amish typically operate their own one-room schools and discontinue formal education after grade eight (age 13 – 14). Most Amish do not buy commercial insurance or participate in Social Security. As present-day Anabaptists, Amish church members practice nonresistance and will not perform any type of military service.

Amish People

Factsheet About Amish People

Demographic Amish Ethnicity
Total Population Approximately 300,000
States with Largest Population Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana
Birth Rate Higher than national average
Language Pennsylvania Dutch (German dialect)
Education Typically formal education until 8th grade
Occupations Agriculture, Carpentry, Crafts
Religious Affiliation Christianity – Anabaptist
Attire Plain clothing, Bonnets for women, Beards for men
Technology Use Minimal – Limited use of electricity and motorized vehicles
Distinct Customs Community-oriented, Gelassenheit (yielding to God’s will), Ordnung (social order)
The Amish (; Pennsylvania German: Amisch; German: Amische), formally the Old Order Amish, are a group of traditionalist Anabaptist Christian church fellowships with Swiss German and Alsatian origins. They are closely related to Mennonite churches, a separate Anabaptist denomination. The Amish are known for simple living, plain dress, Christian pacifism, and slowness to adopt many conveniences of modern technology, with a view neither to interrupt family time, nor replace face-to-face conversations whenever possible, and a view to maintain self-sufficiency. The Amish value rural life, manual labor, humility and Gelassenheit (submission to God's will). The Amish church began with a schism in Switzerland within a group of Swiss and Alsatian Mennonite Anabaptists in 1693 led by Jakob Ammann. Those who followed Ammann became known as Amish. In the second half of the 19th century, the Amish divided into Old Order Amish and Amish Mennonites; the latter do not abstain from using motor cars, whereas the Old Order Amish retained much of their traditional culture. When people refer to the Amish today, they normally refer to the Old Order Amish, though there are other subgroups of Amish. In the early 18th century, many Amish and Mennonites immigrated to Pennsylvania for a variety of reasons. Today, the Old Order Amish, the New Order Amish, and the Old Beachy Amish as well as Old Order Mennonites continue to speak Pennsylvania Dutch, although two different Alemannic dialects are used by Old Order Amish in Adams and Allen counties in Indiana. As of 2023, over 377,000 Old Order Amish lived in the United States, and about 6,000 lived in Canada: a population that is rapidly growing, even though most Amish clearly seem to use some form of birth control, a fact that generally is not discussed among the Amish. This is indicated by the fact that the number of children systematically increases in correlation with the conservatism of a congregation: the more conservative, the more children. Amish church groups seek to maintain a degree of separation from the non-Amish world. Non-Amish people are generally referred to as "English" by the Amish, and outside influences are often described as "worldly". Amish church membership begins with adult baptism, usually between the ages of 16 and 23. Church districts have between 20 and 40 families, and worship services are held every other Sunday in a member's home or barn. The rules of the church, the Ordnung, which differs to some extent between different districts, are reviewed twice a year by all members of the church. The Ordnung must be observed by every member and covers many aspects of day-to-day living, including prohibitions or limitations on the use of power-line electricity, telephones, and automobiles, as well as regulations on clothing. Generally, a heavy emphasis is placed on church and family relationships. The Amish typically operate their own one-room schools and discontinue formal education after grade eight (age 13 – 14). Most Amish do not buy commercial insurance or participate in Social Security. As present-day Anabaptists, Amish church members practice nonresistance and will not perform any type of military service.

The Ancient Heritage of Amish Ethnic Groups

References to the Amish Ethnic Group

For those interested in digging deeper into the Amish ethnic group, there are several references and resources available that provide valuable insights into their unique way of life, culture, and history. Here are some recommended sources:

  • Books:
    • “The Riddle of Amish Culture” by Donald B. Kraybill
    • “Amish Society” by John A. Hostetler
    • “The Amish in the American Imagination” by David L. Weaver-Zercher
    • “Amish Grace: How Forgiveness Transcended Tragedy” by Donald B. Kraybill, Steven M. Nolt, and David L. Weaver-Zercher
    • “Gathering at the Hearth: Stories Mennonites Tell” edited by Philip Kniss and David Weaver-Zercher
  • Documentaries and Films:
    • “The Amish” – A PBS documentary series that provides an in-depth exploration of Amish life and culture.
    • “Devil’s Playground” – A documentary film that examines the Amish tradition of rumspringa (a period of freedom for Amish teenagers).
    • “Witness” – A feature film starring Harrison Ford that presents a fictionalized account of an Amish community.
  • Websites:
    • The Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies at Elizabethtown College offers an extensive online collection of resources on Amish and Anabaptist studies.
    • The Amish Country Visitors Bureau website provides information on Amish culture, attractions, and events in various Amish communities.
    • The Amish Studies website by Donald Kraybill offers academic articles and resources on the Amish, including research papers and bibliographies.

These references and resources offer various perspectives on the Amish way of life, their religious beliefs, community practices, and the challenges they face in modern society. Whether you are interested in understanding their historical origins or gaining insights into their values and traditions, these sources provide valuable information to deepen your understanding of the Amish culture.

We have reached the end of our exploration into the extraordinary lives of prominent Amish. We hope this journey has been enlightening and inspiring.

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