Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2013, All Rights Reserved U.S. Data Repository Please read U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the US Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ ========================================================================= U.S. Data Repository NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization. Non-commercial organizations desiring to use this material must obtain the consent of the transcriber prior to use. Individuals desiring to use this material in their own research may do so. ========================================================================= Formatted by U.S. Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== Biographical History of Cherokee County, Iowa W. S. Dunbar & Co., Chigago - 1889 [page 524-525] ALBERT J. CUSHMAN was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, August 21, 1847, and is the son of CHARLES and LAURA (RICE) CUSHMAN, natives of Ohio and New York respectively. The father died in Trumbull County in 1855 at the age of forty-one years; the mother still lives with her son, ALBERT J., at the age of seventy-four years. They were the parents of three children: ALBERT J., the subject of this notice; LUCY, deceased in infancy, and MARY, the wife of J. D. PERKINS, residing in Nebraska. ALBERT J. grew to manhood in the county in which he was born, and ob- tained his education in the common schools and an academy. When he had reached man's estate and was starting out for himself, he deter- mined to seek his fortune in new and untried fields. Accordingly, he removed to Iowa and settled in Cedar County, where he remained five years. September 2, 1872, he came to Cherokee County, and purchased 120 acres of land in Amherst Township. The year before he had spent six weeks in the county, and was familiar with the lay of the land. He first erected a small house of three rooms, which he has since en- larged to one of the best farm residences in the township. The land was raw prairie, and the task of reclaiming it from nature's wildness was no light one. In addition to the usual drawbacks and hardships there were grasshoppers for five years, a trial great enough to weaken the stoutest heart. Fuel was hauled a distance of sixteen miles, which when secured was the poorest kind, being cottonwood brush; however, they were glad to get even that. Facing one trial bravely gave courage for the next, and thus they persevered, and to-day they have their reward. The CUSHMAN farm consists of 240 acres under good cultivation, with the best improvements. Mr. CUSHMAN is a conspicuous figure in the politics of the township, affiliating with the Republican party. For seventeen years he has held the office of secretary of the School Board, and has always taken an active interest in the welfare of the school work. He has also held the office of trustee. In early days, with the hospi- tality characteristic of the pioneer, he would throw open his house for political caucuses, and made every effort to forward his party's interests. Mr. CUSHMAN was married February 14, 1883, to Miss LIZZIE ARNOLD, a daughter of F. D. and MARY (LEHMAN) ARNOLD, now residents of Amherst Township. Mrs. CUSHMAN was born in Defiance County, Ohio, September 30, 1862. Four children have been born of this union: ARTHUR G., EDITH M., LAURA B. and CHARLES F. Mrs. Cushman is an acceptable member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. CUSHMAN is one of the originators of the Farmer's Elevator Company, of Marcus, and also assisted in the organization of the Western Cherokee Fire and Lightning Insurance Company, of Marcus, Iowa. ===========================================================================