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Reuben Webster Millsaps
Reuben Webster Millsaps
Personal details
Born (1833-05-30)May 30, 1833
Copiah County, Mississippi
Died June 28, 1916(1916-06-28) (aged 83)
Jackson, Mississippi
Occupation Businessman

Reuben Webster Millsaps (May 30, 1833 - June 28, 1916) was an American businessman, financier and philanthropist.

Early years[]

Reuben Webster Millsaps was born on May 30, 1833 in Pleasant Valley, Copiah County, Mississippi.[1] He was of English, Scots-Irish, and Welsh descent. His family were farmers. He had eight siblings.

He attended Indiana Asbury College, now known as DePauw University, and Harvard University Law School, where he earned a law degree.

Civil War[]

He fought in the American Civil War as a soldier in the Confederate States Army and was wounded twice during the war. He attained the military rank of Major.

Postbellum career[]

After returning from the war he pursued a successful career in business and finance. He was President of Capital State Bank in Jackson, Mississippi.

Philanthropy[]

In 1890, Millsaps donated US$550,000, which was matched by contributions from Mississippi's Methodist community, for the creation of "a Christian college within the borders of our state".[2][3] The college is now known as Millsaps College and is located in Jackson, Mississippi.[2][3] He devoted the rest of his life to the building and running of the college.

Death[]

Major Reuben Webster Millsaps grave

Tomb on the campus of Millsaps College

He died at his home in Jackson on June 28, 1916, at the age of 83.[4][5] He was buried on the campus of Millsaps College in Jackson.

References[]

  1. Reuben Webster Millsaps, Ancestry.com
  2. 2.0 2.1 Julie L. Kimborough, Jackson, Mount Pleasant, South Carolina: Arcadia Publishing, 1998, p. 89
  3. 3.0 3.1 Mary Carol Miller, Lost landmarks of Mississippi, Oxford, Mississippi: University Press of Mississippi, 1999, p. 33
  4. "Maj. Millsaps Dead". Jackson, Mississippi. 1916-06-29. p. 1. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66472320/maj-millsaps-dead/. 
  5. "Maj R. W. Millsaps, Philanthropist, Dead". Jackson, Mississippi. 1916-06-29. p. 4. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66472374/maj-r-w-millsaps-philanthropist-dead/. 

External links[]

Template:Millsaps College

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