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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 Albermarle 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 for 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.