Louis Bostedo (1798 - 1878) was an American businessman from Weyauwega, Wisconsin who spent a single term in 1856 as a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from a district which encompassed the sparsely populated Oconto, Outagamie, Shawano and Waupaca counties."Members of the Wisconsin Legislature 1848–1999 State of Wisconsin Legislative Bureau. Information Bulletin 99-1, September 1999. p. 30 Early life and career Bostedo was born in New Jersey and was a partner in a mill and dam. Bostedo came to Waupaca County in 1851, being one of the first settlers of Weyauwega.F.A.M. "The Upper Wolf, Wis.; Waupaca and Weyauwega:Weyauwega:Pioneer Days" Semi-Weekly Wisconsin p. 1, col. 6 In 1855 he was a member of the Waupaca County Board of Supervisors from Weyauwega. He was the first village president of Waupaca.'Weyauwega,' Kim J. Helter, Mary Werth, and Janis Dahlke, Arcada Publishing: 2013, Biographical Sketch of Louis Bostedo, pg. 19
Legislative election and service After the 1855 election, the Assembly seat for Oconto, Outagamie, Shawano and Waupaca counties was initially awarded to William Brunquest. Bostedo successfully challenged the result,The legislative manual of the state of Wisconsin; comprising Jefferson's manual, rules, forms and laws for the regulation of business; also, lists and tables for reference Tenth Annual Edition Madison: Atwood and Culver, State Printers, Journal Block, 1871; p. 196 with both claimants admitting that Bostedo had received the majority of the vote.January 15, 1856 Journal of the Assembly of Wisconsin, Annual Session, A.D. 1856. Madison: Calkins & Proudfit, Printers, 1856; pp. 60-62
Bostedo was a Democrat. He succeeded fellow Democrat Perry H. Smith and was succeeded by Democrat Benjamin F. Phillips.
After the Assembly Bostedo remained on the county board; was a founder and president of the Old Settlers' Society of Waupaca County when that body organized in 1872, retaining the office until his death in 1878.
He was reported as a newly elected vice-president of the Ripon and Wolf River Rail Road Company in 1858.Smith, Du Moulin and Co., comp. The Berlin city directory. Containing the names of the citizens, a business directory, an accurately compiled street and avenue directory, a state and city record and an appendix of much useful information Berlin, Wisconsin: J. S. Wright, Bookseller and Stationer, 1858; Appendix. Horicon, Waupun, Berlin and Ripon; p. 7 That railroad had been chartered by the legislature during his term of office."An Act to incorporate the Ripon and Wolf River Railroad" Private and Local Laws Passed by the Legislature of Wisconsin, in the Year Eighteen-Hundred and Fifty-Six Madison: Calkins & Proudfit, Printers, 1856; p. 862-70
References