Reuben Webster Millsaps
| Reuben Webster Millsaps | |
|---|---|
| Born |
May 30, 1833 Copiah County, Mississippi |
| Died | June 30, 1916 |
Reuben Webster Millsaps (May 30, 1833 - June 30, 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] 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 a 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
He died on June 30, 1916, at the age of 83.[1] He was buried on the campus of Millsaps College in Jackson.
References
- 1 2 Reuben Webster Millsaps, Ancestry.com
- 1 2 Julie L. Kimborough, Jackson, Mount Pleasant, South Carolina: Arcadia Publishing, 1998, p. 89
- 1 2 Mary Carol Miller, Lost landmarks of Mississippi, Oxford, Mississippi: University Press of Mississippi, 1999, p. 33