About the Arthur Area
The Amish Faith had its start in Switzerland
and was founded by Jakob Ammon. He and a small
number of people became dissatisfied with the
worldliness of the parent
Mennonite Church. It was their wish to live a
more strict and simple life; therefore they
formed together as a group who rejected wars,
materialism and frivolity. Early Mennonites came
to America to seek religious freedom in 1632.
They settled in Pennsylvania and were divided
into two groups. The "Church Amish" favored a
central church building; the other group known
as "House Amish" favored holding services in a
home. The Amish in our area are "House Amish."
The first Amish family came to Arthur in 1865.
There are 22 church districts in this locality
which covers an area of approximately twelve
miles East and West, and 15 miles North and
South with Arthur in the center of the
settlement.... |
There are approximately 3500 Amish in the Arthur
area. An average family consists of six children.
When the young people are married they are often given a
parcel of land by one of the fathers from which they are
to make their living. An average Amish farm consists of
approximately 80 acres. Their main crops being wheat,
oats, clover, and corn. Until a few years ago, farming
was their only way of life. Due to the fact that ground
is no longer plentiful, some of them are leaving farming
for other ways of life such as woodworking, canning,
watch repair, and several are now employed at various
manufacturing jobs in the Arthur area.
Their
homes are large with several rooms opening into one
large room where they hold church. The houses are
furnished very simply with benches on which the families
sit to eat their meals. The floors are bare and the
windows are covered with plain colored cloth. The Amish
women are good cooks, but only cook plain foods raised
on their farms, such as pork, beef, chicken, turkey, and
garden vegetables.
The
Amish dress is simple with the men wearing dark colored
high vests over home-made shirts, collarless coats
fastened with hooks and eyes. They have their hair cut
in a "Dutch Bob." Their men wear beards, but the young
Amish shave until they are married. The Amish women
dress simply with plain ankle length dresses, black
stockings and flat shoes. In the cold months, they wear
black wool shawls. Their heads have a covering or white
prayer cap which is worn inside the home or during
church services, and wear a black bonnet when outside.
The girls dress like their mothers with the exception of
the prayer caps which they do not wear until they have
joined church.
When visiting the Illinois Amish country, make your first stop at the Amish Country Visitors Information Center in downtown Arthur. You'll find up to the minute information on all local events in Amish country and directions to help you find your way around!