Western Portraiture and Emigrant’s Guide: A description of Wisconsin, Illinois, and Iowa; with remarks on Minnesota, and other territories

First edition of a charming mid-19th century travel guide to the Midwest.

“So quick and numerous are the changes in the West, that the traveler of the spring, returning by the same route in autumn, scarcely knows his whereabouts; and the pioneer who makes a summer’s visit to his old home-place, is equally surprised, on his return, at the changes which have taken place, the advancement made there, and he hardly recognizes the locality of his new home, after the short absence of one season.

Immigrants have ‘located’, new shanties have been struck up, and they even succeeded by new houses, new fences have been made, new roads laid, and new ditches dug. The enchanting power of industry, in a genial clime, on a fertile soil has done this; but it is not of illusory enchantment.” – Preface.

This lovely first edition volume was authored by Daniel S. Curtis and published in New York by J.H. Colton in 1852. Its 350+ pages offer an informative (though clearly biased) account of extensive travels across Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, and the Minnesota Territory. Details about local history, geographic features, industry, agricultural output, flora and fauna, and population demographics are provided in a contemporary language that is easy and fascinating to read.

The book includes a folding map (also by Colton), tipped upside down to the front cover. While it doesn’t show the new ditches or struck up shanties promised by the preface, it does offer a finely engraved image of the rapid growth and development enjoyed by much of the Upper Midwest during the mid-19th century.

An old bookplate indicates the volume was sold by E. Mendenhall in Cincinnati, while a manuscript inscription (oddly dated 1832 – 2 decades before publication) names C.D. Fillmore, Esq. of St. Paul as the original owner. Possibly a story reflecting its use in migrating from Ohio to the Minnesota Territory?