Persona

Mapletoft, Edgar

1920-2006

Edgar Mapletoft was born October 7, 1920 in Lloydminster, Saskatchewan. His father, John, and uncle, Charlie, homesteaded in the Fort Pitt District, just north of Lloydminster, on the north side of the North Saskatchewan River in 1911. His parents, John & Martha Mapletoft, had one son, Edgar, and a daughter, Mary Margaret. Edgar grew up and remained in the Fort Pitt District all his life. He attended the School of Agriculture in Saskatoon and in 1941 received his Diploma. Edgar married Florence Patricia Chapman on July 2, 1942 and they raised three sons on the Little Pipestone Ranch just a couple miles from their childhood homes. He died on April 1, 2006. Mr. Mapletoft was an authority on Simmental cattle. He first imported the breed to Canada in 1969 and was a successful breeder for several years. In 1983 he was given the Golden Book Award by the World Simmental Federation. Edgar Mapletoft was also passionate about history of the region he lived, especially the Fort Pitt, Frenchman's Butte and Onion Lake areas, the First Nations, the Métis and the Northwest Rebellion. Edgar always had a strong interest in the native heritage, especially as it applied to the history of the Northwest. He tape-recorded interviews with elders on the reserve who were children at the time of the Northwest Rebellion. His involvement with the Onion Lake First Nation ultimately led to his becoming an Honorary Chief. Mr. Mapletoft also became involved with the Frenchman's Butte Museum; planning, fund-raising and publicizing it. His real passion was telling the story of the Northwest. He and his wife, Pat, looked after the Fort Pitt Historical Campground for several years. After Pat passed away, he continued for awhile and then became involved with farm vacations and providing historical tours. His fame grew and people came from all over the country for his personalized tour.