JOHN TROYER MEMORIAL AWARD
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“A father’s holy life is a rich legacy for his sons.” - Charles Spurgeon John Troyer (July 14, 1830 to March 5, 1912), of Kokomo, Indiana, has good claim to the largest Amish family ever. Image via Oakley Thomas Mitchell https://amishamerica.com/largest-amish-family-ever/ https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/30731156/john-troyer/photo#view-photo=171434499 https://blackforestproject421.blogspot.com/2025/07/john-troyer-memorial-award.html |
John Troyer was known as the Amish-Mennonite man with the most children. He had 31 children, 29 was his and 2 were those by his second wife of a former marriage. I will post information about him from his gravesite before posting about the 12 sons of Jacob and giving my thoughts and suggest a memorial award in memory of his record.
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The tombstone of John Troyer (July 14, 1830 to March 5, 1912), of Kokomo, Indiana, has good claim to the largest Amish family ever. |
John Troyer
Birth
14 Jul 1830
Walnut Creek, Holmes County, Ohio, USA
Death
5 Mar 1912 (aged 81)
Kokomo, Howard County, Indiana, USA
Burial
Kokomo, Howard County, Indiana, USA
Memorial ID
30731156 · View Source
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18 The sons of Noah who went forth from the ark were Shem, Ham, and Japheth. (Ham was the father of Canaan.) 19 These three were the sons of Noah, and from these the people of the whole earth were dispersed. – Genesis 9 vs 18-19 (ESV) [PHOTO SOURCE: https://www.instagram.com/p/C3T3Q1NKsnC/?img_index=4 ….. https://share.google/images/oeziSHohOsbMXUG07] |
Troyer.-John Troyer was born in Holmes So., O., July 14, 1830; died in Howard Co., Ind., Mar. 5, 1912; aged 81 y. 7 m. 21 d. At the age of 22 he was married to Catharine Schrock. To this union were born 12 children, four preceded him to the spirit world. In April, 1873, he with his family moved to Howard Co., Ind. In May, 1874, his first wife died. Later he was united in marriage with Caroline Kendall. To this union were born 17 children. Seven of these preceded him to the spirit world. Bro. Troyer united with the Amish Mennonite Church in his early life, and lived a consistent life until death. The family lost a loving father, the church a wise counsellor, the community a good neighbor. He leaves a wife, 18 children, 2 step children, 60 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, 3 brothers, a sister, and a host of relatives and friends to mourn his departure, but their loss is his eternal gain. Funeral Mar. 8 at the Mennonite Church, where a very large concourse of people had gathered to pay their last tribute of respect. Services conducted by Bros. E. A. Mast (Text, II Tim. 4:6-8) and N. M. Slabaugh (Text, Job 5:26). Burial in the Mast Cemetery. (counsellor is not a typo, it is spelled as written.)
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Newspaper announcing John Troyer’s death. John Troyer (July 14, 1830 to March 5, 1912), of Kokomo, Indiana, has good claim to the largest Amish family ever. |
Married 1852 to Catherine
Married 12/13/1874 Kokomo Howard Co IN to Caroline
John Troyer, who lived near Kokomo, Indiana, had an unusually large family, perhaps the largest of all time among the Amish or Mennonites. John was first married to Catherine Schrock who bore him twelve children. Following her death he married her cousin Caroline (Schrock) Kendall, a young widow with two children. John and Caroline in turn had seventeen additional children. This made a total of 31 children
Posted on October 10, 2008 in Amish Culture, Amish History
Source: Joseph Stoll, "Amish and Mennonite Family Names", Family Life, March 1969)
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The family that works together, eats together, and prays together, stays together. – Amish Proverb Amish Family ~ Sarah’s Country Kitchen [PHOTO SOURCE: https://ca.pinterest.com/pin/amish-family-sarahs-country-kitchen--412853490835064682/ … …. https://images.app.goo.gl/8tVWbUpRXLnwRZ6X7] https://mommyish.com/the-big-family-backlash-is-having-a-dozen-kids-selfish-717/ |
He was a farmer
COD- Organ Disease/Paralysis of heart
The children with Caroline, that are not listed with them on Find A Grave are:
Sarah 1876-1877
Infant daughter: b/d Aug 19, 1882
Infant son: b/d Feb 25, 1886
Infant son: b/d Oct 30, 1886
Infant daughter: b/d Oct 2, 1888
Infant son: b/d Sept 4, 1891
Infant daughter: b. Nov 14, 1892 and d. Dec 16, 1892
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Good character, like good soup, is usually homemade. ~ Amish Proverb [PHOTO SOURCE: https://www.pinterest.com.au/pin/420945896400133340/] BLOG: https://blackforestproject421.blogspot.com/2023/05/family-value-quotes.html |
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Where there is devotional music, God is always at hand with His gracious presence. - Johann Sebastian Bach The Mel and Katie Stoltzfus family, also known as The Mel Stoltzfus Family, is a singing group from Halifax, PA consisting of Mel, Katie Ann, and their ten children. They are known for their family-style harmonies and gospel music, having joined the Gospel Express Ministries as a singing team in 2017. They have released several musical recordings and are available for bookings through Gospel Express Ministries. [PHOTO SOURCE: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=596158259593239&set=pb.100075972100828.-2207520000] https://blackforestproject421.blogspot.com/2025/02/the-stotlzfus-family-musical-group.html |
This video by Erik Wesner of Amish America will explain more:
The LARGEST Amish family EVER
Mar 4, 2025
Amishman John Troyer took "be fruitful & multiply" to heart.
VIDEO SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnfOVhAXzq0
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And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” – Genesis 1:28 (ESV) [PHOTO SOURCE: https://x.com/BibleLeagueCan/status/1302367176398118912 ..... https://x.com/BibleLeagueCan/status/1302367176398118912/photo/1] |
12 Sons of Jacob:
I will post bible verses related to the 12 sons of Jacob and 2 sermons by Voddie Baucham Jr. on Genesis 48 and 49.
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22 While Israel lived in that land, Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father's concubine. And Israel heard of it. Now the sons of Jacob were twelve. 23 The sons of Leah: Reuben (Jacob's firstborn), Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun. 24 The sons of Rachel: Joseph and Benjamin. 25 The sons of Bilhah, Rachel's servant: Dan and Naphtali. 26 The sons of Zilpah, Leah's servant: Gad and Asher. These were the sons of Jacob who were born to him in Paddan-aram. – Genesis 35:22-26 (ESV) The 12 Sons of Jacob | Their Names, Stories, and Blessings Explained The twelve sons of Jacob are more than just names in a genealogy—they are the foundation of the twelve tribes of Israel and central figures in the biblical narrative. Each son has a unique story that reveals something about their character, their choices, and their role in God’s unfolding plan for His people. From Reuben, the firstborn who lost his birthright, to Joseph, the favored son who rose to power in Egypt, and Judah, whose lineage would lead to King David and eventually the Messiah—these men played pivotal roles in shaping biblical history. In this exploration, we’ll look at the meaning behind their names, the defining moments of their lives, and the powerful blessings (and warnings) given by their father Jacob before his death—words that carried prophetic significance and helped shape the destiny of entire nations. [PHOTO SOURCE: https://share.google/images/sknWHLJKVu1LG1tiS] [PHOTO SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5uQ-Zk7G_Q] |
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DID YOU KNOW THAT THE 12
SONS OF JACOB IS A MYSTERY OF CHRIST ? [PHOTO SOURCE: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1489620307881965&id=1199928760184456&set=a.1200411003469565] |
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22 While Israel lived in that land, Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father's concubine. And Israel heard of it. Now the sons of Jacob were twelve. 23 The sons of Leah: Reuben (Jacob's firstborn), Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun. 24 The sons of Rachel: Joseph and Benjamin. 25 The sons of Bilhah, Rachel's servant: Dan and Naphtali. 26 The sons of Zilpah, Leah's servant: Gad and Asher. These were the sons of Jacob who were born to him in Paddan-aram. – Genesis 35:22-26 (ESV) 12 sons of Jacob vs 12 tribes of Israel [PHOTO SOURCE: https://www.biblefunforkids.com/2012/08/the-12-sons-of-jacob-vs-12-tribes-of.html] |
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15 And he blessed Joseph and said, “The God before whom my
fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, - Genesis 48:15-16 (ESV) 12 sons of Jacob in order: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph, and Benjamin. [PHOTO SOURCE: https://au.pinterest.com/pin/12-sons-of-jacob-posters--68679963058497111/] |
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15 And he blessed Joseph and said, “The God before whom my
fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, - Genesis 48:15-16 (ESV) Jacob’s prophetic blessing of his twelve sons in Genesis 49. PDF version (310 KB) [PHOTO SOURCE: https://visualunit.me/2014/09/05/sons-of-jacob-genesis-49/] Blog: https://blackforestproject421.blogspot.com/2024/12/israels-baby-boom-2024-children-are-joy.html Blog: https://blackforestproject421.blogspot.com/2025/06/israels-children-world-ultra-orthodox.html |
The Theology of Adoption l Voddie Baucham
Premiered Jul 13, 2023
VIDEO SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwg1En3hhlY&t=52s
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The McCallums head into town in their buggy, pulled by one of their horses, Terry. Credit: Meredith O'Shea The family that works together, eats together, and prays together, stays together. – Amish Proverb Meet the McCallums, one of Australia's few Amish families Ever wanted to not just slow down, but jump off the grid? A family leaves behind the trappings of the 21st century to lead a simple, pious life in rural Tasmania. Springfield Farm Fresh Produce - McCallum Family [PHOTO SOURCE: https://maps.app.goo.gl/r9BLz6rNjPR59YG99] BLOG: https://blackforestproject421.blogspot.com/2023/11/the-mccallums-one-of-australias-few.html BLOG: https://blackforestproject421.blogspot.com/2023/11/the-mccallums-and-their-community.html BLOG: https://blackforestproject421.blogspot.com/2024/07/the-mccallum-family-musical-group.html BLOG: https://blackforestproject421.blogspot.com/2025/08/springfield-farm-fresh-produce-mccallum.html |
Jacob Blesses His Sons l Voddie Baucham
Premiered Jul 20, 2023
VIDEO SOURCE:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Htn-9GtGwxk&t=183s
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Honor the house in which you were born, the tree that gave you shade, and the village where you were raised. – Swedish Proverb Georgia’s landscape, steeped in history and cultural richness, once attracted Amish settlers seeking a peaceful life. While attempts were made to establish communities in the early 1900s, unlike other regions, these settlements haven’t flourished long-term. However, the story of the Amish in Georgia is a captivating one. [PHOTO SOURCE: https://www.amishfurniturefactory.com/amishblog/amish-communities-in-georgia/] https://blackforestproject421.blogspot.com/2023/05/family-value-quotes.html https://blackforestproject421.blogspot.com/2023/11/the-mccallums-one-of-australias-few.html |
Jacob’s Blessing: Themes from Genesis with R.C. Sproul
Dec 30, 2023
From Adam to Jacob and his sons, we can trace God’s covenant blessings through every generation. In this message, R.C. Sproul considers the blessings that Jacob bestows on his sons at his deathbed in Genesis 49. Even as Jacob’s words ring throughout Israel’s history, they foreshadow an even greater blessing to come in the person of Jesus Christ. This message is from Dr. Sproul’s 12-part teaching series Themes from Genesis.
VIDEO SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0h24ILJCV68
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A family is like a forest, when you are outside it is dense, when you're inside you see that each tree has its place. – African Proverb The family is like a forest, when you are outside it is dense, when you're inside you see that each tree has its place. When you look from afar the forest appears to be like one compact unit. The same is true of a family. A true family is one. They are united against whatever threatens their bond of unity. Whatever affects one member affects all because they care about one another. The reason they are united is because each member plays his or her distinct role effectively and cooperatively. It's not that they love each member equally. No, they don't. In fact they may even hate what some members do. It's like what happens in an ant colony. When we look from outside at an ant colony we see a beautiful display of teamwork. But a closer inspection, according to scientific findings reveals that the species "hate each other" (source livescience.com). But you see, when there is work to be done, or an enemy to conquer, they put their differences aside to fight for the common good. They have different personalities but one purpose: to work for the common good. We don't have to lose our uniqueness in the quest for unity. We only need to lose our selfishness. Be unique! An Amish family on an open buggy [PHOTO SOURCE: https://images.app.goo.gl/BSPuadNzT5X2PW8m6 ...... https://amish-buggy.com/#amish] https://www.plainandfancyfarm.com/onsite-activities/buggy-rides/ https://www.plainandfancyfarm.com/ https://blackforestproject421.blogspot.com/2025/07/john-troyer-memorial-award.html |
My Thoughts:
When I read that John Troyer had 12 children from his first wife, I got reminded of Jacob of the Bible who had 12 sons. Some people believe he followed the Genesis 1:28 verse to be fruitful and multiply. He reminds me of George Muller, the Evangelist who took care of more than 10,000 orphans, the only difference was Troyer was a father.
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"Never since the Orphan work has been in existence have I asked one single human being for any help for this work; and yet, unasked for, simply in answer to prayer, from so many parts of the world, as has been stated, the donations have come in, and that very frequently at a time of the greatest need." – George Muller George Muller prayed and trusted God [PHOTO SOURCE: https://www.instagram.com/p/DNafAnsCCmK/?img_index=4] ARTICLE: https://www.georgemuller.org/devotional/five-conditions-of-prevailing-prayer7854890] BLOG: https://lutherandcalvinbrigade914.blogspot.com/2025/09/george-muellers-220th-birthday.html |
I believe that Troyer who obviously follow the 4 core values of the Anabaptist Trio: faith, family, community and simple life, had motivated the Anabaptist Groups to have more children. The Anabaptists were a persecuted group, that is why they know what their ancestors had gone through since 1525, it motivates them to have more children to prevent extinction. As Orna Dornath, an Israeli Sociologist said:
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The collective fear of annihilation. It continues to haunt us, and children are seen as symbolizing a continuance of life, of survival. – Orna Donath [QUOTE SOURCE: https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle-East/2018/1214/Israel-booms-with-babies-as-developed-world-s-birth-rates-plummet.-Here-s-why] [PHOTO SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCmJNuHRbe8&t=3s&pp=0gcJCX4JAYcqIYzv] https://blackforestproject421.blogspot.com/2024/12/israels-baby-boom-2024-children-are-joy.html |
John Troyer Memorial Award:
Mongolia awards the Order of Glorious Motherhood to mothers with four or more children to encourage population growth and recognize their contribution to the nation. The award consists of different classes, with a Second Class medal for mothers of four or five children and a First Class medal for those with six or more. This presidential honor acknowledges and encourages childbirth and population growth in the country, also providing a badge, a monetary prize, and in some cases, early retirement benefits.
I would like to be creative here: Taking a cue from the Order of Glorious Motherhood, I recommend giving a John Troyer Memorial Award for any parents with more than four children, with similar benefits as those in Mongolia. As the Bible verse in Psalm 127:3 says:
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Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. – Psalm 127:3 (KJV) [PHOTO SOURCE: https://faithhopeandjoy.com/psalm-1273-heritage-a-blessing/] |
I will close with a quote from former football quarterback, Philip Rivers, who welcomed his 10th child: "It doesn't matter if it's the first child or the 10th child. It's an awesome miracle every time. Everyone is home now, and everyone is good.”
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Peirce and Christina Baehr with their ten children [PHOTO SOURCE: https://share.google/images/p8rFriqsuJXCHIIkH] https://blackforestproject421.blogspot.com/2025/06/meet-baehr-family-of-pilgrim-hill-in.html |
KINDERWELT LINKS:
The Hebrew phrase for "children are a joy" is "ילדים הם שמחה" (yeldim hem simcha). "ילדים" (yeldim) means "children", and "שמחה" (simcha) means "joy" or "gladness". Israel is the only OECD countries that have the highest fertility rate of 2.91 per woman.
From September 2023 to September 2024, about 183,000 babies were born in Israel, meaning that more than 400 babies were born per day. There was a similar case in 2022, in its annual Amish population study, the Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies at Elizabethtown College estimates that 1,450 Amish babies were born in Lancaster County last year. Only 145 Amish of all ages died. That population increase of 1,305 brought the total number of Amish living here to 44,315. There were more Amish births than deaths in that state.
https://blackforestproject421.blogspot.com/2024/12/israels-baby-boom-2024-children-are-joy.html
15 And
he blessed Joseph and said, “The God before whom my fathers Abraham and
Isaac walked, the God who has been my shepherd all my life long to this day,
16 the angel who has redeemed me from all evil, bless the boys; and in
them let my name be carried on, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and
let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.” - Genesis 48:15-16
(ESV)
ISRAEL’S CHILDREN WORLD: THE ULTRA-ORTHODOX JEWS ON THE RISE
https://blackforestproject421.blogspot.com/2025/06/israels-children-world-ultra-orthodox.html
“Our children are the only treasures we can take to heaven.”
AMISH BABY BOOM PART 1 – PROVERBS ABOUT CHILDREN
https://blackforestproject421.blogspot.com/2024/10/amish-baby-boom-part-1-proverbs-about.html
Who takes the child by the hand, takes the mother by the heart. – Danish Proverb
AMISH BABY BOOM PART 2 - CANADIAN AMISH ON THE RISE
https://blackforestproject421.blogspot.com/2025/07/amish-baby-boom-part-2-canadian-amish.html
11 And she vowed a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head.” – I Samuel 1:11 (ESV)
Our home joys are the most delightful earth affords, and the joy of parents in their children is the most holy joy of humanity. - Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi
https://blackforestproject421.blogspot.com/2025/05/2025-mothers-day-sermons.html
Honor the house in which you were born, the tree that gave you shade, and the village where you were raised. – Swedish Proverb
THE FAROE ISLANDS: CHILDREN’S WORLD IN EUROPE
https://blackforestproject421.blogspot.com/2024/07/the-faroe-islands-childrens-world-in.html
Children are a poor man’s wealth. – Danish Proverb
THE ADOPTED CHILDREN OF THE FAROE ISLANDS
https://blackforestproject421.blogspot.com/2024/07/the-adopted-children-of-faroe-islands.html
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