Reuben Webster Millsaps
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Reuben Webster Millsaps was born on May 30, 1833 in Pleasant Valley in Copiah County, Mississippi. He was born into a farming family as the second child of nine. Millsaps went to Indiana Asbury College (now DePauw University) and also attended Harvard University Law School where he got a law degree. He fought in the Civil War as a soldier in the Confederate States Army and was wounded twice during the war. He attained the military rank of Major. 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.In 1890 Major Millsaps donated $50,000 -- a donation that was matched by contributions by Mississippi Methodists -- for the creation of "a Christian college within the borders of our state." The college is now known as Millsaps College and is located in Jackson, Mississippi. Major Millsaps devoted the rest of his life to the building and running of the college. Millsaps died on June 30, 1916.
