Reuben Webster Millsaps

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

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

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 including William Green Millsaps.

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

 

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. Julie L. Kimborough, Jackson, Mount Pleasant, South Carolina: Arcadia Publishing, 1998, p. 89
3. Mary Carol Miller, Lost landmarks of Mississippi, Oxford, Mississippi: University Press of Mississippi, 1999, p. 33
4. "Maj. Millsaps Dead". The Newton Record. Jackson, Mississippi. June 29, 1916. p. 1. Retrieved December 30, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
5. "Maj R. W. Millsaps, Philanthropist, Dead". The Boston Globe. Jackson, Mississippi. June 29, 1916. p. 4. Retrieved December 30, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.

External links

• Millsaps College