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Encyclopedia Dubuque

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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.




EMIGRANT ASSOCIATION

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EMIGRANT ASSOCIATION. In 1858 the BOARD OF TRADE appointed an Emigrant Association to attract settlers who were coming to areas around Iowa. The purpose of the organization was

           the dissemination of reliable information regarding
           the advantages offered by Iowa to immigrants and the
           transaction of business as an agent for any companies
           or individuals interaction the selling, leasing, or
           buying of land.

An appeal was made to the newspapers in surrounding communities to put together pamphlets containing information about the value of land, population of towns, timber, soil and streams.

The action of the Dubuque Board of Trade attracted interest in Des Moines where in 1860 the Legislature passed a bill appointing a Commissioner of Immigration. (1)

In 1859 a meeting at the DUBUQUE CITY HALL resulted in the hiring of Charles F. Wittenberg to be an emigrant agent for the City of Dubuque ib New York City. A committee if two persons was appointed from each ward in the city to collect money to pay the expenses of the agent for three months.

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Source:

1. Rupp, Jennifer. "German Immigrants in Iowa." Ron E. Roberts ed. Iowa's Ethnic Roots. Dubuque: Kendall/Hunt, 1993, p. 114

2. "Local Department," Express and Herald, August 10, 1859, p. 3