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

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.

This book grew out of Ervin R. Stutzman's loving desire to know his father, an Amish entrepreneur. The quest was daunting, since Tobias died in a car accident when Ervin was three. Through interviewing family members and other people in the communities where the family had lived, Ervin paints this fictionalized but true story of Tobias J. Stutzman. In the search process, he also learned about his faith heritage and about himself.