James M. Wahl facts for kids
James M. Wahl (born Jens Magnus Wahl) (January 7, 1846 – February 9, 1939) was an important pioneer who settled in South Dakota. He was a Norwegian American who helped start the city of Canton, South Dakota. He also served as the first lawmaker for Lincoln County, South Dakota in the Dakota Territory.
Contents
Life Story
Early Life and Journey to America
James M. Wahl was born in 1846 in a place called Storvahl, in Nærøy parish, Nord-Trøndelag, Norway. His parents were Fredrik Andreas Jenssen and Johanna Maria Mikkelsdatter.
In 1867, Wahl moved from Norway to La Crosse, Wisconsin in the United States. He went to school at West Salem Seminary in La Crosse.
Settling in South Dakota
After finishing his studies, James Wahl moved to Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He became a guide for many years, helping immigrants from Norway find their way to Lincoln County, South Dakota.
On April 23, 1868, he arrived in the area that would become Canton, South Dakota. He claimed a piece of land there. This land is now where the county courthouse stands.
Contributions to the Community
James Wahl helped his community in many ways.
- He helped start the Bethlehem Lutheran church, which is now called Canton Lutheran Church.
- He also helped bring Augustana College from Beloit, Iowa to Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
- He wrote a long book, 277 pages, about how the local area was settled.
James M. Wahl passed away in 1939. He had been a citizen of the United States for 73 years.
