Mennonites establish community on south edge of county

A small community of Mennonites has moved to an area on Hwy. M on the very southern edge of Daviess County. They are all from Tunas, which is located in south central Missouri, northern Dallas County.

The first family of Jerome Horst moved in April of 2008. They are still coming. Another family, Quentin Zimmerman, will join the community in January of next year. He will live about two-and-a-half miles further east on Hwy. M. He is presently constructing a house and barns.

"We came because of the better farm ground," said Jerome. "And more rain at the right time of year."

The families raise and sell produce in the summer and have cattle. They plan to establish small businesses in the future, including a saw mill.

"We’ll do any kind of construction work; you name it," said Jerome.

The families include 63 members all together — Jerome Horst with 9 individuals; Nolan Horst, 3; Neal Zimmerman, 8; Leslie Zimmerman, 10; Samuel Stouffer, 4; Irmin Zimmerman, 10; Michael Aaker, 8; and Nelson Zimmerman, 11.