Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 634 - 635 

ELIHU MAUPIN, a well-to-do farmer and stock-grower, residing on section 4, Payne Township, is one of the pioneers of 1872, and has contributed his share to the growth and development of this part of the county of Sedgwick. He was born Aug. 20, 1838, in Kentucky. His parents were Daniel and Amelia (Carter) Maupin, natives of Kentucky. The former was born in Warren County, Jan. 14, 1814, and was twice married. It is not known who his first wife was. The mother of our subject, to whom he was married June 9, 1836, was born in Warren County, March 15, 1817. She is living in Shelby County, Mo., and is a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. To her and her husband were born fifteen children, seven of whom are now deceased, as follows: Mary Frances, Esther Colvin, Daniel and James Carter, and three who died in infancy unnamed. Those living are named Joel, Elihu, Simon Peter, John A., Walter Jasper, William Davis Price, Elizabeth and Sarah Ellen.

            Mr. Maupin, the father, was occupied principally as a farmer, but he was very ingenious and handled tools with great facility. He was equally good at carpentering, masonry, making shoes, or in any trade that he might apply himself to. He made all the shoes for himself and family. In 1841 he left his old Kentucky home, and with his family migrated to Missouri, and, locating in Macon County, lived there for eight years. Thence he went to Shelby County, and there made his home during the remaining years of his life, his death occurring in October, 1869. In politics he was an old-line Whig, and during the war was a Democrat. For many years he was a faithful member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

            The subject of this sketch was the second child in order of birth born to his parents, and was very young when they moved to Missouri, and there he grew to manhood. He was educated in the common schools of that State, and in the healthy labors of the farm he developed strength and vigor. On the 3d day of July, 1861, in Putnam County, he took unto himself a wife, who has since been to him a true helpmeet, nobly sharing with him the hardships of their pioneer life and encouraging him to persevere in his work. Her maiden name was Elizabeth Forbes, and her parents were David and Martha (Richardson) Forbes; to them were born ten children, of whom but one is dead -- John W., Margaret S., William R. (deceased), James H., Hannah R., Elizabeth, Phebe, Rachel, Melinda R. and Sarah M. Mr. Forbes was a farmer by occupation, and was also a licensed preacher. He and his wife were for several years connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he often occupied its pulpit. They finally joined the United Brethren Church, and he took an active part in its proceedings, often expounding its doctrines to the people who gathered together to listen to his preaching. Mrs. Forbes is still a faithful member of that church. Mr. Forbes is now deceased.

            Our subject and his wife first settled on a farm in Missouri. Finally Mr. Maupin concluded that the prospects to gain a good living by farming were much more encouraging in Kansas than in Missouri. Accordingly, he disposed of his property in that State, and on the 14th of July, 1872, came to this State and located near his present farm. He purchased a homestead claim of an earlier settler, and afterward took up a homestead claim in his own name. Then commenced for him and his family all the vicissitudes of a pioneer life. The removal here and the money that he afterward paid out exhausted his means, and he had to begin anew the uphill work of getting a competency. He sold a pair of woolen socks for seventy-five cents, and with that money he bought a load of wood in the timber fourteen miles distant, one-half of which he afterward sold in Wichita, fifteen miles away, receiving therefor $2.50, and with this money he started in life with renewed zeal. He continued selling wood in the city all of the following winter, drawing it twenty-eight miles every day through all the storms that were then so prevalent in Kansas. None but a sturdy man of an iron constitution could have endured all the hardships that he encountered before success came to him. The subsistence of the family was procured by the sale of butter made from the milk of five cows. Mr. Maupin now owns 160 acres of land, four miles distant from Greenwich ; it is finely located and commands a view of Greenwich, and also of Benton, in Butler County. There is a beautiful grove, containing four acres, which would furnish an ample supply of wood for the family if it were needed; and he also has a young peach and apple orchard. Everything about his place shows his care and wise management.

            The union of our subject has been blessed by the birth of six children, namely: Daniel Harvey, James Walter, John Logan, Willie David, Lydia Frances and Oscar Stanley. Daniel and Oscar are dead.

            Mr. Maupin has been active in securing educational privileges to the youth of this township, and in 1873 assisted in the organization of School District No. 20. He was elected Justice of the Peace, but did not qualify, as his private duties demanded all his attention. Politically, he is a true Republican. Our subject is endowed with remarkably keen eyesight, and can read the finest print without the aid of glasses, though he is nearly fifty years of age.

            Mr. and Mrs. Maupin are conscientious members of the United Brethren Church, and have been for twenty-five years. They are true Christian people; generous to a fault, charitable to those in need, and having the happy faculty of making the stranger feel at home in their pleasant dwelling.

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