Mifflin Wistar Gibbs
Encyclopedia
Mifflin Wistar Gibbs was an African-American abolitionist and judge. Gibbs was the eldest brother of fours siblings, including Jonathan Clarkson Gibbs
, and was prominent in Reconstruction Arkansas
. Mifflin was born in Philadelphia, and died at his home in Little Rock, Arkansas
.
Gibbs is well known for his role in the migration of African Americans from California to Vancouver Island
, starting in 1858. He was involved in business and politics during his ten year stay in Canada, including a stint on Victoria City Council
in Victoria, British Columbia
. On his return to the U.S., he became involved in the legal profession in Little Rock and held a number of judicial and government positions. He was an important person to African Americans because he was one of the few blacks in the U.S senate.
In 1897, he became the American consul to Madagascar
. He returned to the United States in 1901 and became president of a bank located in Little Rock that was mainly an African American business.
In 1902, he purchased the property at 902 T Street, NW in Washington DC for his daughter Mrs. Harriet Gibbs Marshall, who ran the Washington Conservatory of Music there, as one of the most successful women owned businesses in the Nation at the turn of the century following in the footsteps of her father.
Another daughter, Ida Alexander Gibbs, who was educated at Oberlin College in Ohio, married William Henry Hunt
who was an assistant to Mifflin Wistar Gibbs in Tamatave, Madagascar and succeeded him as American consul there.
Jonathan Clarkson Gibbs
Jonathan Clarkson Gibbs, II was a Presbyterian minister and a prominent African-American officeholder during Reconstruction...
, and was prominent in Reconstruction Arkansas
Arkansas
Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
. Mifflin was born in Philadelphia, and died at his home in Little Rock, Arkansas
Arkansas
Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
.
Gibbs is well known for his role in the migration of African Americans from California to Vancouver Island
Vancouver Island
Vancouver Island is a large island in British Columbia, Canada. It is one of several North American locations named after George Vancouver, the British Royal Navy officer who explored the Pacific Northwest coast of North America between 1791 and 1794...
, starting in 1858. He was involved in business and politics during his ten year stay in Canada, including a stint on Victoria City Council
Victoria City Council
Victoria City Council is the governing body of the Canadian city of Victoria, British Columbia. The council consists of the mayor plus eight councilors. A deputy mayor is appointed monthly....
in Victoria, British Columbia
Victoria, British Columbia
Victoria is the capital city of British Columbia, Canada and is located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island off Canada's Pacific coast. The city has a population of about 78,000 within the metropolitan area of Greater Victoria, which has a population of 360,063, the 15th most populous Canadian...
. On his return to the U.S., he became involved in the legal profession in Little Rock and held a number of judicial and government positions. He was an important person to African Americans because he was one of the few blacks in the U.S senate.
In 1897, he became the American consul to Madagascar
Madagascar
The Republic of Madagascar is an island country located in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern coast of Africa...
. He returned to the United States in 1901 and became president of a bank located in Little Rock that was mainly an African American business.
In 1902, he purchased the property at 902 T Street, NW in Washington DC for his daughter Mrs. Harriet Gibbs Marshall, who ran the Washington Conservatory of Music there, as one of the most successful women owned businesses in the Nation at the turn of the century following in the footsteps of her father.
Another daughter, Ida Alexander Gibbs, who was educated at Oberlin College in Ohio, married William Henry Hunt
William Henry Hunt
William Henry Hunt is the name of:* William H. Hunt , United States Secretary of the Navy* William Henry Hunt * William Henry Hunt * William Henry Hunt -See also:...
who was an assistant to Mifflin Wistar Gibbs in Tamatave, Madagascar and succeeded him as American consul there.