The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1902-11-04
The Amish Settlers
Of Stark County


Stark county, in the vicinity of Louis
vile. The people of this colony num-
ber several hundred, and are engaged
in farming and stock raising, at which
occupation they are eminently success
fuI.
In dress and costume they are very
much like Quakers. The Amish came
originally from the south of Russia
early in the history of this country,
settling in eastern Pennsylvania. Their
language is German, OF rather the dla-
lect known as Pennsylvania Dutch. ."
From the original Amish settlement
in Pennsylvania they emigrated in
bands Of half dozen families or more
to other states, Ohio having several
settlements, the largest Deing in
Holmes county, where probably one.
fourth of the population belong to this
sect. Indiana and most of the other
states of the central west have large
number.
AS one of the strictest rules of the
Amich religion is one which prohibits
marriage outside of the sect, there is
a relationship more or less distant be-
tween the inhabitants Of these colonies
The names of few of the parent fam
lilies now largely predominant among
these people. Among the most prom
inent of these are the names of Miller,
Yoder, Hostetler, Hershberger.
THRIFTY AND ECONOMICAL.
The Amish are very thrifty and eco
nomical and wherever a community
is started it is usually the case that
members Of the sect acquire control OF
many OF the farms contiguous 10 the
land originally held. An Amish hoy Is
usually given enough when he reaches
his majority to make small payment
on farm near his parents and The
balance of the payments he makes by
tilling the soil.
1t is against the rules of the church
to go into the courts and an Amishman
will never bring suit against anyone
who has wronged him. They will no'
go to war, nor does their religion allow
them to serve on q jury or take an
oath. In none of the Amish settlements
has it been known that one of thc
sect has been an inmate of county
in firmary, as the church takes care d
its very few indigents. No debt of ar
Amishman to any ore out OF th'
church remains unpaid, as Others O.
the sect will join together and pay any
such creditor, IL the debtor is unable
to do so. None OF the members o
| this sect will take out life insurance
policy, nor will they protect thetl
pro1erty in a fire insurance company
! If m Alnishman meets a loss by fire
| his neishbors will assist him to re
build and restock his barn or house
QUEER CUSTOM OF DRESS.
The manner of dress is one of tht
strictest requirements which membe
of the sect is required to follow. Th'
men all wear long hair and beard, bu
are not allowed to grow mustache
The p)ain black, wide brimmed hat i
the only style which IS sanctioned, an
the manufacturer never changes tn
block. A short coat of black, withou
a collar, and trousers and vest OF tn
same material, all being fastened wit
hooks and eyes instead of buttons. But
tons GU q garment are considered
matter of pride, which is one of tn
things which above all others a
Amish man or woman is not allowe
to cultivate The oVercoats are wor
long, and with.a large cape. No gen
uine Ahishman ever wore linen CO.
lar or necktie.
The dress of the women has nC
changed a particle in style in the his
tory Of the sect. Dresses are all mad
shortwaisted, and always of undgure
cloth. A favorite costume with a
Amish woman is dress of black, wit
a triangular piece of blue, yellow G
purple from the neck to the waist !
front and back. The short skirt ha
always been in vogue among the An
Iish. The head-dress of the women cor
sists Of a black and in some cases
purple bonnet. This is used as an ou
er covering, while small cap of whit
is always worn underneath, tied unde
! the chin with white bow The whit
cap is not removed in the house {
church. The hair is worn in brai
down the back. Jewelry of any soi
is not tolerated, and if an Amish ma
den should wear ring, it would proi
ably result in her expulsion from tn
church.
BUILDINGS ARE WHITE.
The style of architecture used b
the Amish in building their homes hf
not changed any since the time of lc
cabins. They are built with a pore