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James M. Wahl (1846-1939) was a Norwegian American settler and the first legislator of Lincoln County.^[1] He named the city of Canton, South Dakota.^[2]

Wahl was born in Storvahl, Naeroe, Norway, January 7, 1846. He was a resident of the United States for 73 years. He emigrated to La Crosse, Wisconsin, in 1867, from Norway. He attended West Salem seminary in LaCrosse and upon completion moved to Sioux City, Iowa. He served as a guide to expeditioners coming to Lincoln County from Norway for many years. He later moved to the Sioux Valley, arriving on April 23, 1868, in Canton. He filed for a homestead and on this very piece of property, the county courthouse stands today.

Among many contributions to the community, Wahl assisted with the organization of Bethlehem Lutheran church, organized bringing the Augustana College from Marshall, Wisconsin, to Canton, and writing a 277 page record of local settlement.^[3]

[edit] References

1. ^ South Dakota Historical Listing Legislator Detail James M. Wahl
2. ^ Microsoft Word - Norwegian-American guide 2006-07
3. ^ "James M. Wahl: Earliest Co. Pioneer Dies." Sioux Valley News, Sioux Falls South Dakota. February 9, 1939

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