Wisconsin was the eighth state to have a Kiwanis Club. That was the Kiwanis Club of Milwaukee, organized on October 24, 1916. Madison became the second on February 5, 1917. Racine became the third on March 20, 1916; Kenosha, April 25, 1917; Fond du Lac, August 11, 1917; Green Bay, October 3, 1917 and Oshkosh, November 1, 1917.

These seven clubs formed the nucleus for the Wisconsin District of Kiwanis International when it was formed on September 24, 1918. The Upper Michigan was added to the Wisconsin District on November 27, 1920 to form the Wisconsin-Upper Michigan District.The three easternmost counties of the UP which were returned to the Michigan District in 1935 because of distance and winter travel conditions.

In June of 1918, International President George F. Hixson (after whom the Hixson Fellowship is named) appointed E.A. Marthens of Milwaukee the first Governor of the District. The first convention convened in Milwaukee on September 24, 1918 with four accredited delegates present representing Milwaukee, Racine, Oshkosh and Kenosha.

District officers elected were Governor E. A. Marthens, Milwaukee, and Secretary Eltinge Elmore, also of Milwaukee. For the purpose of defraying the expenses of the district governor's office, a tax of 10% of the dues received annually by each club was levied.