Mifflin Gibbs – Object #2

MIFFLIN W. GIBBS CALLED BY DEATH Negro Citizen, Former Judge and Consulto Madagascar, Dies After Long Illness
Mifflin Wistar Gibbs, negro, 92 years old, a former city judge of Little Rock and once United states consul to Madagascar, died at 5:30 o’clock yesterday afternoon at his residence at 1518 Chester Street. He was ill several months. He is survived by two daughters, Hattie Gibbs Marshall of Washington, D. C., and Ida Alexander Hunt of Sant Etranne (probably Saint-Etienne), France, and one son, Horace Gibbs, of Aurora, III. Funeral arrangements will be announced later.
Judge Gibbs was born in Philadelphia, April 17, 1823. He was educated in the public schools of that city. Left an orphan when a youth, he learned the carpenters’ trade, continuing his studies at night. It was during this period of his life that he came in touch with Frederick Douglass, Richard Allen, William Lloyd Garrison and others. He accompanied Frederick Douglass on several occasions, pleading the cause of his people.
In 1850 he hailed for San Francisco, seeking gold. He arrived there in September of that year. After following his trade for a year, he entered business and was very successful. Later he moved to Victoria, British Columbia. In 1866 he was elected to the Common Council of the city of Victoria, his first entry into political life. He became a contractor and within three years amassed a considerable fortune. In 1870 he returned to Oberlin, Ohio, Here he entered the Oberlin Law School and later was graduated with honor.
After graduating he decided to lie in the South and went first to Florida in 1871. He remained in that state only a short time, coming to Little Rock in May, 1871. He entered the practice of law and in 1872 joined in partnership with Loyd G. Wheeler under the firm name of Wheeler & Gibbs, with offices in the old bank building, comer Markham and Center streets. He became active in political affairs and in 1874 was elected city judge,
He was a Republican and was identified with that party during Reconstruction days, being associated with Gen. Powell Clayton, Col. A. B. Fowler, the late Col. William G. Whipple and the late Judge John McClure. In 1876 he was elected presidential elector, receiving the highest vote cast. He voted for Rutherford B. Hayes, who was elected president.
He was appointed register of the United States Land Office, Little Rock district, November 10, 1877, by President Hayes. November 2, 1881, he was re-appointed register of the Land Office by President Chester A. Arthur, holding that position for eight years. March 8. 1897, he was appointed receiver of public moneys, Little Rock, by President Benjamin Harrison
On December 18, 1897, President William McKinley named him as United States consul to Madagascar. He held this post until 1901, when he resigned and returned to this country. He was a delegate to every Republican convention from 1872 when U.S. Grant was nominated, until 1899, when he cast his vote for William McKinley.
During his early manhood he traveled and lectured throughout the North and West, being associated with Frederick Douglass, William Lloyd Garrison, and others of national fame.
He knew personally Harriet Beecher Stowe, Frances Ellen Harper and John Brown. His wide travel and large acquaintance with people of prominence covering a period of 66 years in public life, is shown in “Shadow and Light,” an autobiography written and published by him in 1902.
His standing for years as a leader among his people and as their representative in political, financial and social affairs, brought him the confidence of both races. The School Board recently honored him by naming the negro high school for him. He has contributed very largely to the library of that school. Only a few years ago he donated ground upon which to erect a home for aged negro women and he has given generously to the support and maintenance of that institution.
He leaves a large estate.