Our Family History

<h1></h1><p>Ruth Sloan Wahl & Fred Wahl </p>
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<h1></h1><p>Katherine “Kit” Runser Wahl & Walter Wahl</p>
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<h1></h1><p>Lillian Johnson Sloan & William John Sloan </p>
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Welcome to Our Genealogy Site

Welcome! As with most Family Trees this is a work in progress. Your patience is appreciated. In 2001 after the death of my mother, Ruth Sloan Wahl, I found myself the steward of all my ancestors’ memorabilia. It didn’t take long for me to find myself using those records and photos as a starting place for building my family tree. The idea for this website came from a desire to share what I had discovered with everyone in my family...and YOU, too! Please contact us with feedback, questions, additional information and corrections. Stop in again soon and check on our progress.

Discover Our Family

Jacob Wahl

Hiob Jacob Wahl, as he is listed in the church records, was born in Mittelschontal, Backnang, Wurttemberg in 1827. His father was a butcher and Jacob (as he was commonly known) learned the butchering trade from his father. Jacob emigrated to America in 1848 with his fiancé, Freidereica Pfizenmayer, and their two young children, Johann Jacob and Lea Freidereica. They were probably accompanied on their journey by Freidereica’s younger sister, Eva Magdalena. The little group made their way to Pekin and then Bloomington, Illinois where Jacob opened a meat market near the center of town. As their business grew so did their family. Children Elizabeth, Louis, Albert, William & Edward followed. By 1880 the 3 oldest children had set out on their own and the rest of the family moved to Abilene, Kansas, a growing town on the prairie.

Frederika Pfitzenmaiern

Frederika was born in 1824 in Grossasbach, Wurttemberg. She emigrated to America with Jacob Wahl and their two young children Johann Jacob and Lena, accompanied by Frederika’s younger sister, Magdalena. One of the first things they did when they reached their first home in Pekin, Illinois was to get married! Why their marriage had not occurred in Germany before their children were born is a mystery. After attaining success in Bloomington, Illinois, Jacob and Frederika decided to head west to Abilene, Kansas, a young town on the prairie with lots of business opportunities. The records show that they owned and sold many properties. Jacob opened a Meat Market and son Albert became his steady partner. In 1892 Frederika suffered a debilitating stroke. Her youngest son, Edward, had completed his education to become a surgeon. He temporarily left his practice in Chicago to return to Kansas and care for his mother. She passed away a year later.

Daniel Richard Johnson

Daniel Richard Johnson was born to Johan Johansson and Kristina Larsdotter in 1855 in Tveta, Varmland, Sweden. Daniel's father, Johan, had gone America when he was a young man to start a business with a friend. The friend became ill and died so Johan returned to Sweden. But he never forgot the wonder of America. Johan encouraged Daniel and Eva to emigrate to America where there would be more opportunities for a “second son” such as Daniel. Daniel and Eva settled in Lake Nebagamon, Wisconsin. They acquired land for a farm and started a family. As their community grew, Daniel was concerned about his children’s education. So, he and friend walked 40 miles to get permission to start a school. Daniel donated land and the community provided the lumber and labor to build the Carl Von Linne School. Because of Daniel and Eva’s dedication to educating their children, all seven completed the 8th grade at the Carl Von Linne School. And two of his daughters and one of his granddaughters became teachers, too.

Eva Anderson

Eva was born in 1852 to Anders Jansson and his wife Lena in Gersnas, Värmland, Sweden. She emigrated to America in 1882 with her fiancé, Daniel R Johnson and her brother John. After the long voyage, Daniel and Eva settled in Brainerd, Minnesota. They married and had a child who died soon after birth. Heartbroken, they decided to try their luck in northern Wisconsin when land was available to homestead. They were blessed with more children – four girls and three boys. Their farm and family flourished. But tragedy struck in 1910 when Daniel was fatally injured in a farm accident while he was hauling logs. According to granddaughter, Ruth Sloan Wahl, Eva was aware of the struggle for children to attend school and help with the farm work to provide the family’s needs. But she had made a promise to Daniel that she would do all she could so that all the children would graduate from the 8th grade. It meant often changing plans and helping each other, but they attained Daniel and Eva’s goal.

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