Amish Entrepreneurs

In the 200 years or so since the Amish began settling the rolling hills of north central Ohio, they have sought to carry on the traditions of their forefathers by farming the land, believing that a strong family life revolves around the home and a love for the Earth.

But as the Amish population has grown, and farmland has become more scarce and expensive, the next generation has turned to other means to support their families at home. A trip down Holmes County Road 77, just east of Millersburg, provides a sampling of the many shops and businesses created ny these Amish entrepreneurs.

A troop of animated children, ranging in age from "barely-able-to-walk" to "just-old-enough-to-be-in-charge" comes tumbling from a big farmhouse at 5689 County Rd. 77, eager to show visitors to the shop where their father, Ervin J. Miller, builds his picnic tables and benches. Created form vinyl, with stainless steel bolts and screws, these tables last many years longer than wood, never need painting, and withstand the severest of Ohio weather. On this particular day, Miller is not available to show customers his work, but the children are willing sales agents, pressing a brochure and business card into a visitor's hand, and proudly pointing to their father's handiwork.

A professionally painted sign advertising quilts and wallhangings for sale ushers the tourist into Betty Hershberger's shop, which stands across the driveway from her home at 6024 County Road 77. Betty has been selling her own and some of her neighbors' beautiful stitchery for ten years, ever since medical bills from three operations caused her to start looking for a way that she could contribute to the family finances without leaving home.

She has created bed coverings for customers from as far away as California, Texas and Oregon, selling 15 or 16 per month. "I work as I am able, between cooking, baking, washing and caring for my family," she said, explaining that she has resisted the efforts of more than one sales agent who has tried to persuade her to "go bigger". Her only concession to modern convenience and speed has been the newly purchased sewing machine, whish she operates by connecting it to a car battery. Betty's older daughters look after the younger children while she chats with a customer. "My girls said that they would never do it (quilting), but then, that's what I used to say," she confides with a smile.

Up the road at Country Hill Rocker Shop, Wilma Troyer leaves her washing machine to show shoppers the hickory rockers her husband Dale builds in a converted garage next to their home. Dale and Wilma have been busy since the day, only three years ago, when they hung out their sign and made their first rocking chair. Dale had worked in a pallet shop, but when they rented the home, and discovered that it came with a building, Dale decided to pursue the craft his brother had already found success in.

"It's nice to have him at home," beams Wilma, as she proudly displays rocker number 2401, which has just been finished.

Country Optics and J. H. Watch Repair occupy a fairly large shop at 6954 County Road 77. The business began in 1976 as a watch and clock repair service, but over the years the family partnership added new clocks and furniture for sale. A young son's fascination with bird watching led them to add an expanding line of binoculars and telescopes. Many neighbors and community members have become caught up in the hobbies of stargazing and birding, and the demand for good scopes has taken more space in the shop's glass display cases. The family's continued interest in clocks has resulted in many beautiful and unusual timepieces for sale, including mantel clocks, cuckoo clocks, and even clocks made from horse collars.

Jonas and Ada Yoder have fashioned a remarkable success story from a tale that started with tragic circumstances. When Jonas was only a small boy, he was bitten by a tick, resulting in a case of Lyme disease that became so debilitating that he now uses a wheelchair. Unable to work outside the home, Jonas cast about for a business that could support him and his wife. Ada had always displayed a talent for flower arranging, so the young couple began growing, drying and making arrangements from some of her favorite blossoms and weeds. Starting in their barn in 1995, the Yoders achieved so much success with their beautiful and colorful collections that by 1997, they were ready to erect a special building to house their retail operation.

The Yoders use no chemical preservatives on their flowers. "The secret," says Jonas, "is to pick the flowers at the exact right time." The blooms retain their bright colors if they are plucked at the right stage, and are air-dried in the darkened barn.

"We can never have enough on hand," comments Ada. "They sell fast."

In June of this year, the Yoders expanded their shop yet again, increasing the floor space to include housewares, baby items, gifts, toys and school supplies. Yoder's Drieds and Gifts is located at 7062 County Road 77.

"We like working together," Jonas says with a quiet smile of satisfaction.

A popular and natural result of Amish talent is a bakery, and the Allen and Esther Miller family simply added on to the side of their large farmhouse on State Route 241 to sell their pies, cookies, breads and cakes.

Son Aaron waits on customers while both parents work in the kitchen. "We only did baked goods to start," he relates, "but we just got bigger and bigger." The Miller's Family Bake Shoppe now carries baking supplies and bulk foods, and takes orders for churches and wedding parties.

As visitors travel about the Amish Heartland, especially on the back roads, they will find many such home-based shops, combining domestic life with commerce. The resourceful Amish are continuing to find ways to support their families, train their children, and build strong family bonds while staying close to the land their ancestors loved.(Aug 2000 Edition)