My Genealogy Hound

Edward B. Maupin, farmer and stock-raiser, was born two and a half miles north of High Ridge in 1845. He is the second of a family of four children born to John W. and Ann (Byrnes) Maupin. The former was born in Albemarle County, Va., October 30, 1817, and when about nine years of age moved with his father, Charles Wesley Maupin, to St. Louis County, where the latter settled and where he remained until 1834, when he removed to Jefferson County, locating six miles northeast of Hillsboro. Here he died in 1842. He was of French origin, and a native of Albemarle County, Va. John W. received very meager educational advantages, not having attended school more than nine days altogether. He learned to read and write by the light of the old time fireplace, and became familiar with all ordinary arithmetical problems. He was married in 1843, and settled near High Ridge, but removed to St. Louis County, and from there to Jefferson County in 1860. From the beginning of the war his sympathies were with the South, and he took an active part in recruiting and piloting men to the South. On the night of the 27th of July, 1862, he was captured with several others, and taken to Alton, Ill., where he was held prisoner for about nine months. He was then exchanged, and joined the Confederate army at Vicksburg, where he surrendered with the army. He was soon after exchanged and went to Richmond, Va., where he was consigned to the Western Department, and served during the remainder of the war under Gen. Price, with whom he surrendered. He did not return home until August, 1866, and died on the 26th of the same month of cholera. He had been a man of considerable means, but through the ravages of war was left almost penniless. He was a liberal supporter of all public enterprises, and was a man esteemed by all. The mother was born in Meramec Township, and died in 1853. She was a member of the Baptist Church. Edward B. remained with his father until the breaking out of the late war, when he began for himself as a farm hand. This he continued until 1866, when he married Miss Ann, daughter of Isaac T. and Margaret Smith. Mr. Smith was formerly of Indiana, but when a boy came to St. Louis County, where he was married, and where he has since resided, engaged in farming. Eleven children were the result of Mr. Maupin’s marriage, nine of whom are now living: Octavia, Lucy, Ella (deceased), Emma, Clay (deceased), Janetta, John T., Winifred, James S., Grover C. and Lillie G. The first three years after marriage Mr. Maupin resided on the old home farm, after which he removed to Eureka, and here rented land tor five years. In 1874 he removed to the James Brown farm, at the mouth of Big River, on the Meramec River, which he rented for nine years. He then purchased his present farm, which consists of 307 acres of as good land as is to be found in the county. It is a part of one of the old Spanish surveys. He was instrumental in establishing a good public school in his district, although the school is four miles from his house. He is active in every public enterprise. Politically a Democrat, he cast his first presidential vote for Greeley, in 1872. He is a member of the A. O. U. W. and a liberal supporter of the church, and of all charitable institutions.