Frederick J. Mulhaupt was born in Rockport, MO, on March 28, 1871. He studied at the Art Academy of Kansas City, the Art Institute of Chicago and also in Paris Schools. While he was attending the Art Institute of Chicago in the early 1890's he was the founding member of the Palette and Chisel Club in 1895. Mulhaupt traveled frequently to Europe and also exhibited works at the National Academy of Design in New York.

He lived in New York during the winter and visited Gloucester, MA in the summer. In 1922 he moved to Gloucester and it was there that he hit the pinnacle of his artistic talents.