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The Amish Arrive in America
The Charming Nancy sets sail for North America from the Netherlands with 21 Amish families. -
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The Amish
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Well-Known Amish Bishop Settles
Jacob Hertzler, the first well-known Amish bishop in North America settles in Northkill Creek, in Berks County north of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. -
3,000 Amish Immigrate
Over the next 50 years, 3,000 Amish will immigrate to North America from Europe. -
Begin Settling in Ohio
Amish begin settling in eastern Ohio, farming side by side with the Native Americans already there. -
Settlement in Ohio Expands
Now approximately 250 Amish families reside in Ohio with the Native Americans -
Amish Seperation
Amid Amish settlements and various churches debate over dress code, separation from society, and use of technology. The first all-church Amish ministers' conference in Wayne County, Ohio (Diener-Versammlung) occurs. It happened almost annually until 1878. -
Amish Division
The more conservative Amish depart the Diener-Versammlung dissatisfied and trigger a major division within Amish communities in North America. The more conservative flank becomes known as "Old Order" Amish because they cling to the Old Ordnung.
The more progressive Amish become Amish-Mennonites, and slowly over several decades become assimilated into Mennonite churches. -
Egly Amish
Bishop Henry Egly from Adams County, Indiana creates the Egly Amish. Egly mixes Christian beliefs with the Amish beliefs. It promotes personal conversion, and takes a more personal authority over the congregation. -
Stuckey Amish
The Stuckey Amish form under bishop Joseph Stuckey from McLean County, Illinois. They are more relaxed in their restrictions, and believe God will save all of humanity regardless of religious affiliation. -
Telephone
The telephone spreads to many homes, even Amish ones. But sveral Amish groups begin debating the dangers that home telephones present to the community. -
Amish Culture Growing
At this time, the Amish population in America numbers around 6,000. -
New Relaxed Amish Group
About 20 percent of the Old Order church in Lancaster, Pennsylvania break away and form a new Peachey group. They do not agree with the Old Order's ban on telephones in the home and the strict shunning policy. -
Automobiles Banned
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No School for the Amish
This is the year where Ohio decided school is necessary up to age 18. Unfortunatly, the Amish did not. Many families kept their kids at home believing that school was unecessary. -
Electrical Grid
Over the next 10 years Amish communities ban connection to the electrical grid. However, they continue to use electricity from batteries, which was never forbidden. -
Amish Population Doubles
At this time, about 1,200 Amish people were settled in America. New Amish settlements were growing in Kansas, Ohio, Michigan, Iowa, Oklahoma and Delaware. -
Pop Doubles!
The North American Amish population surpasses 50,000 and will hereafter double every 19 to 20 years. -
Amish Religious Freedom
The National Committee for Amish Religious Freedom opens a lawsuit, Wisconsin v. Yoder, demanding that the Amish be exempted from the state's schooling codes. The case goes to the U.S. Supreme Court, which ultimately sides with the Amish, allowing them to withdraw their children from schools (private or public) after the 8th grade. -
Leave Ohio
Ten years after the Wisconsin v. Yoder decision, Nebraska will still not allow the Amish to use uncertified (Amish) teachers for their children. Deciding against taking further court action, many Amish leave the state for Ohio and Pennsylvania. -
123,000
About 123,000 Amish living in North America. -
10 Amish Schoolgirls Shot
An Amish community in Nickel Mines, Pennsylvania receives international attention when Charles Carl Roberts IV shoots 10 Amish schoolgirls, killing five of them before taking his own life. Reaching out to the assailant's widow and parents a few hours after the incident, Amish people forgive Roberts and extend grace to his family, earning widespread recognition as a forgiving community. -
Population Now
Amish settlements are now scattered as far west as Colorado, south to Texas and northeast into Maine. At this time, 28 states as well as the Canadian providence of Ontario have Amish communities. Most migrating Amish are searching for inexpensive land and/or fleeing encroaching urban sprawls. Pennsylvania, Ohio and Indiana still host almost two thirds of America's Amish population, which now totals around 261,000.