Wisconsin Emigrant Agency
A state agency created in the mid-19th century to facilitate immigration to Wisconsin from the eastern U.S. and Europe; it published pamphlets and maps in many languages, as well as other promotional literature.
Description from John W. Hunt's 1853 Wisconsin Gazetteer: "WISCONSIN EMIGRANT AGENCY. For the purpose of promoting emigration to the State, an Emigration Agency has been established, the officers of which are paid by the State, and are interested only to point out the various industrial resources of Wisconsin, its adaption to mercantile and mechanical pursuits -- the best location where either wild, government, or improved lands can be procured -- and such other general and useful information as is needed by the emigrant. The office of the Agency is at 89, GREENWICH STREET, NEW YORK. The following named gentlemen are connected with this Agency, either of whom will give, free of cost or charge, impartial and reliable information, both verbal and documentary, to all wishing to inquire in regard to the State: HERMIAN HAERTEL, Commissioner. JOHN H. BYRNE, Assistant Commissioner. THOMAS J. TOWNSEND, Travelling Agent." Hunt, John W. Wisconsin Gazetteer (Madison, 1853).
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