Tobias of the Amish: A True Story of Tangled Strands in Faith, Family, and Community

by Ervin R. Stutzman

Tobias of the Amish presents an intimate look at the life of Tobias J. Stutzman, an ambitious Amish entrepreneur. From installing electric lights in his woodworking shop to questioning the church's refusal of cars, Tobe continually pushes the boundaries of his Amish faith community. But as Tobe's ideas for inventions come up against delays, his growing debt to fellow church members raises the stakes. Can the Amish church support Tobe's grandiose dreams? Follow the real-life journey of Tobias J. Stutzman from Amish communities in Oklahoma, through Kansas, and on to Iowa. Experience repeated heartache, triumph, and tragedy along the way as author Ervin R. Stutzman, youngest son of Tobias, paints this fictionalized but ultimately true story of his father's life.

Genres: Amish, Nonfiction, Biography

352 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2001

About the author

Ervin Stutzman is currently Executive Director of Mennonite Church USA.

Before taking on this role in January 2010, he served for nearly 12 years as Dean and Professor of Church Ministries at Eastern Mennonite Seminary, Harrisonburg, Va. He has also served the Mennonite Church in the roles of pastor, district overseer, missions administrator, conference moderator and, from 2001 to 2003, as moderator for Mennonite Church USA.

Ervin graduated with a bachelor's degree from Cincinnati (Ohio) Christian University. He holds master's degrees from the University of Cincinnati and Eastern Mennonite Seminary. He received his Ph.D. from Temple University. His master's thesis at Eastern Mennonite Seminary was "Biblical Interpretation in the Free Church: Appropriating Scriptural Truth Through Communal Discernment." For his doctoral dissertation he wrote "From Nonresistance to Peace and Justice: Mennonite Peace Rhetoric, 1951-1991."

Ervin was born a twin into an Amish home in Kalona, Iowa. After his father's death a few years later, his mother moved the family to her home community near Hutchinson, Kan. Ervin was baptized in the Center Amish Mennonite Church near Partridge. Later, he joined the Yoder Mennonite Church. Ervin married Bonita Haldeman of Manheim, Pa. Together they served for five years with Rosedale Mennonite Missions in Cincinnati, part of that time in voluntary service. Ervin was ordained to serve as co-pastor of Mennonite Christian Assembly. From there, the Stutzmans moved to Pennsylvania, where they were members of the Mount Joy Mennonite Church. They currently live in Harrisonburg, Va., and are members of Park View Mennonite Church, where Ervin regularly teaches a men's Bible study.

Ervin is a preacher, teacher and writer. His Herald Press publications include Being God's People, a study for new believers, Creating Communities of the Kingdom (co-authored with David Shenk), Welcome!, a book encouraging the church to welcome new members, Tobias of the Amish, a story of his father's life and community, and Emma, A Widow Among the Amish, the story of his mother.

http://www.ErvinStutzman.com/

Reviews

[Clif Hostetler]

This is a novelized biography of the author’s father who was killed at age thirty-seven in a car accident when the author was only three years old. It is also a finely wrought rendition of Amish life in the first half of the 20th Century. Since the author was so young at the time of his father’s death, he had no personal memories of his father. During the author’s growing up years he heard little talk about his father from the surrounding Amish community that seemed to have raised a veil of silence. Even his mother spoke little of him. What was the secret?

Years later the author decided to put together the story of his Father’s life. After ten years of collecting stories in interviews with family, friends and acquaintances of his father, this book is the product of his work.

The name Tobias referenced by the book's title is Tobias Stutzman, the author’s father. In almost any other community he would have been recognized as an ambitious hardworking entrepreneur who’s optimistic spirit seemed to have no end. But in the Amish community he was something of an embarrassment because his enterprising efforts led him into needing to declare financial bankruptcy. Among the Amish who were traditionally farmers, Tobias’ ventures into the field of commerce and manufacturing were of questionable appropriateness.

I have referred to the book as a novelized biography because the names, dates, and places mentioned in the book are all historically correct. All activities, stories of happenings and conversations are based on interviews with those who knew his father. However, the book includes numerous dialogs within quotation marks, and it reveals the inner thoughts and feelings of the story’s participants in a style one would expect from a novel.

I found the story interesting because of some things I have in common with characters in the story. But it’s a story of ordinary people doing fairly ordinary things, and I suspect many reader’s may find the book boring. There is a genre known as Amish romances, as discussed in this link , that are quite popular. It is possible that the title of this book could perhaps lead some readers to expect this book to fit within that genre. Such readers will be disappointed with this book. All love affairs in this book are quite chaste.

The story takes place in northern Oklahoma, south central Kansas, and Iowa, all of which are either stomping grounds of my youth or in the case of Iowa a place where I have acquaintances and/or relatives who live there. I could tell from the last names of those in the story that I was probably distantly related to them. So I did a little checking and learned that I’m a third cousin to Tobias on his mother’s side and a fifth cousin through his father’s side.

[Rodney Farrell Sr]

I was not sure whether to give this a 3 or 4. The book gives a rather in-depth look at the Amish and Mennonite culture in the early 1900s. I gained an understanding of some of the Amish practices which I observe in my present day community. The dialogue can be a tad rambling but if you are familiar with Amish conversation, their language is that way. I recommend this book; the book is not a literary masterpiece but provides a historical and biographical insight to an Amish family of the mid-West. I have met the author and he is a very sincere and dedicated man to the faith of the Mennonite Church.

[Karen]

Interesting look into the lives of the Amish/Mennonites in the 30's through the 1950's. Written by son Ervin about his dad Tobe, I found it to be a challenging book to stay with. It was written along the lines of a diary so there wasn't necessarily a story theme to follow but ramblings of a life lived. Tobe marries Emma and the book follows their lives through the birth of 6 children and multiple moves. Tobe was a brilliant inventor of things and a hard worker but his dreams always exceeded his means to provide for those dreams. He went through bankruptcy but even that didn't seem to teach Tobe to slow down on his hopes and dreams. Upon his death, Emma I'm sure sensed some relief at not bringing any more debt to an already strained lifestyle, but she lost her soul mate. Interesting look into the Amish when they were evolving from the strict Amish sect into the progressive where cars, electricity, phones,.. were often permitted.

[Alice Wallace]

I wanted to give this book more than 2 stars, but.... I have had a lifelong interest in Amish culture and have read textbooks as well as Amish fiction to learn more. This book provided some insights along the way into the culture of the Amish in the Midwest during the early 20th century, but those insights were few and far between the many details of the life of the author’s father. The book is very valuable to him and his family, I’m sure, as it would help them to understand their personal heritage. But for the average reader, it is plodding and lengthy.

[Lucy]

I loved reading this book. It's such a genuine look into conservative Amish life, since the author himself grew up as such. But I just couldn't figure out if I want to cheer the main character for his indomitable inventive spirit or be angry at him for making life hard for his family!

[Brenda]

Excellent

[Ruth Showalter]

Thank you, Irvin Stutzman!

[Becky]

this was a very good book and very sad

[Carolina Liechtenstein]

A little past midpoint, I could predict the usual self limiting message that genuine Amish books preach. I then got bored. I don't like the Amish and Ana-Baptist notion of self limitation. It counters human nature of dreaming and creating. Are we not made in the Creator's image? Thus, shouldn't we strive and create? Shouldn't we dream and create in God's image?

[Partridge Public]

Stutzman, Erwin R.

[Bonnie]

The first of 2 fiction based on real life about Amish their beliefs struggles and hard work and trying to not be worldly.

[Shirley]

Setting in Hutchinson, KS as well as Oklahoma & Kalona, IA

[Pam]

I have always had a respect for the Amish. After reading this, I have a deeper respect.

[Debbie]

I've read quite a bit of Amish stories through the years...this one was just ok. The story/life of Tobias had more potential than what i believe the author (his son) was able to deliver.