“ The extensive German and Scandinavian immigration which began about 1840 increased annually for a dozen years after the admission of the State, and at one time, shortly after 1848, when the revolutionary movements of that year in Europe had driven thousands of cultured Germans to this country, the project was formed of concentrating German immigration in Wisconsin and making it a German State. ”

“ Nicolet first set foot upon what is now the State of Wisconsin late in 1634 or early in 1635. He landed first at Green Bay, where he found a large Indian settlement, thence ascended the Fox River to a point beyond its passage through Lake Winnebago, and then turned southward. He probably proceeded as far south as the site of Chicago, and returned east by way of Lake Michigan. The next white explorers in the Wisconsin region of whom we have any record were Radisson and Groseilliers, two fur traders, who reached the country in 1658-59. ”

“ During the War of 1812 the French and Indians took the field against the Americans, and an expedition starting from the British fort at Green Bay assaulted and captured an American garrison at Prairie du Chien.
For a decade after the close of the war the fur trade remained the principal business of the inhabitants of the region between Lake Michigan and the Mississippi River and the growth in population was slow, the number of white inhabitants as late as 1824 being not more than 6000 or 7000. ”

“ This latter industry has the advantage of the rich iron ore resources of the State, but labors under the disadvantage of having to import its coal. One of the most rapidly growing industries is the factory production of butter, in which the State holds second rank. One of the most widely known industries is the manufacture of malt liquors, which centres in Milwaukee. In 1900 the State ranked fourth in value of malt liquors. Slaughtering and meatpacking are becoming important. There is a large and important group of industries which is largely dependent upon the State's forest resources. ”

“ Voters must be citizens or foreigners who have declared their intention of becoming citizens of the United States, or civilized Indians not members of any tribe, and who have resided in the State one year and in the district a period prescribed by law. Proposed amendments must be passed by a majority of the members elected to either House at two successive sessions of the Legislature and afterwards receive a majority vote of the people. A proposal to call a constitutional convention must receive a majority vote of both Houses and be approved by a majority of the popular vote. ”

“ The average annual precipitation for the State is 31 inches, which is very evenly distributed through the State, being only slightly greater in the east than in the west. The greatest amount falls between July and October. Thunderstorms are frequent in summer, but in winter the air is dry and clear, and the snowfall light. ”

“ Almost equally flourishing is the manufacture of paper and wood pulp. The wood-pulp mills are located on the large streams which afford power for their operation. The quality of the water is unexcelled for paper-making purposes. ”

“ These dimensions include the Apostle Islands, in Lake Superior, and the islands at the entrance to Green Bay, in Lake Michigan. Wisconsin has an area of 56,040 square miles, including 1590 square miles of water, and it ranks twenty-first in size among the States.
Topography. The surface of Wisconsin is a nearly level plain or undulating plateau with three faces or slopes, divided by a T-shaped ridge or line of highest elevation. The longitudinal arm of this ridge runs southward through the centre of the State. ”