The Amish of Mercer and Lawrence counties are mainly clustered around New Wilmington, Pa. It's one

The Amish of Mercer and Lawrence counties are mainly clustered around New Wilmington, Pa. It's one of the oldest Amish settlements in the state. Here are a few facts about the group:
Abraham Zook was the founder of the Amish community in Lawrence County. He moved to the region from Mifflin County, Pa., in 1847.
Now they count nearly 2,000 members and nearly 400 families.
The Amish of northern Lawrence and southern Mercer counties are organized into 14 church districts that are led by a bishop and elders who set the tone for the whole community for everything from style of dress to types of farming equipment.
Each church district numbers about 33 families, ranging from couples with no children to those with upward of a dozen.
There are nearly 20 one-room schoolhouses in southern Mercer and northern Lawrence counties that cater to Amish pupils.
The Amish living in these communities are active voters and many politicians say you can't win an election without the Amish.
One Amish man estimates only about three out of every 500 people leave the Amish lifestyle in this community.
Some Amish have started leaving the area for New York state in search of cheaper land and less encroaching development.
Sources: Neal Wengerd; Pennsylvania Amish Directory of the Lawrence County Settlement 1996; 1810 to 1910 Census of the Amish in Lawrence County.