The Travels of Increase Joseph

Plum Falls, New York, 1840s: Dismissed from Harvard Divinity School for his progressive beliefs, Increase Joseph Link returns home disillusioned and resigned to a life of farming—until a lightning strike and a mysterious voice urge him to “rise and speak.” Heeding the call, Increase becomes an impassioned preacher, championing causes far ahead of his time: environmental stewardship, the abolition of slavery, and an end to war. His message draws a devoted group of followers who call themselves the Standalone Fellowship.

Link Lake, Wisconsin, 1852: Seeking fertile ground for both farming and faith, Increase leads his fellowship west to the Wisconsin wilderness, where they settle near a pristine lake he named in his honor. With soaring oratory and a sense of divine mission, Increase inspires his community with a simple yet urgent message: “Unless we take care of the land, we shall all perish.” To support the fellowship, he bottles and sells his own miracle tonic—for just fifty cents a bottle.

Inspired by true events from 19th-century New York and Wisconsin, The Travels of Increase Joseph is the first novel in Jerry Apps's acclaimed Ames County series. Spanning generations and steeped in rich rural history, the series also includes In a Pickle, Blue Shadows Farm, and Cranberry Red. Together, they reflect Apps's deep roots in the land and his lifelong advocacy for rural communities and environmental care.