Bio of CUSHMAN, Charles Metcalf (b.1829 d.1906), Hennepin Co., MN
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EXTRACTED FROM: History of Minneapolis, Gateway to the Northwest; 
Chicago-Minneapolis, The S J Clarke Publishing Co, 1923; Edited by: Rev. 
Marion Daniel Shutter, D.D., LL.D.; Volume I - Shutter (Historical); 
volume II - Biographical; volume III - Biographical
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Vol. II, pg 453-454
CHARLES METCALF CUSHMAN
Among those who have been the builders and promoters of Minneapolis and her
greatness is numbered Charles Metcalf Cushman, who after a half century's
connec­tion with the city here passed away on the 26th of April, 1906. He was
then In the seventy-seventh year of his age, his birth having occurred in
Attleboro, Massachusetts, on the 6th of July, 1829. He represented one of the
oldest New England families, being a descendent in the ninth generation of
Robert Cushman, agent for the Plymouth colony. Through succeeding generations
the family took active part in affairs of im­portance in New England and later
in other sections of the country to which represen­tatives of the name removed.
Bartholomew Cushman, the father of Charles M. Cush­man, was a farmer by
occupation and the son spent his youthful days in the usual manner of the
farm-bred boy who early becomes familiar with the labors of the fields and the
care of the crops. The public schools accorded him his educational privileges,
his attendance being confined largely to the winter terms. Later he enjoyed more
extended educational privileges by becoming a student in the Pembroke Academy of
New Hampshire, while still later he attended the Phillips Academy at Andovcr,
Massachusetts. He then turned his attention to the profession of teaching, which
he followed for several years in his native town, but after a time he heard and
heeded the call of the west. The stories which reached him concerning the upper
Mississippi valley, its natural resources and its opportunities, led him to the
determination to try his fortune in Minnesota and in May, 1857, he arrived in
Minneapolis, where he after­ward continued his residence. In the year following
his arrival he established a bock and stationery store at No. 24 South
Washington avenue and there he carried on busi­ness without interruption for
almost a half century. Alone in business for a time, he afterward became
associated with a partner under the firm style of Cushman & Plummer, a
connection that was maintained until the death of Mr. Cushman, who was one of
the oldest retail merchants of the city and one of the most respected. He always
endeavored to keep in stock everything that the public would need or demand and
a progressive spirit at all times was manifest in the conduct of his
establishment.
On the 25th of November, 1859, Mr. Cushman was united in marriage to Miss
Emelline S. Clark and they became the parents of four daughters: Isabel H.,
Elizabeth M., Mary D. and Ellen M. The eldest and the youngest died in early
childhood. The daughter Elizabeth is now the wife of Benjamin H. Woodworth. Mrs.
Cushman was the daughter of Charles Clark, one of the pioneer builders and
contractors of Minne­apolis, to which city he came in 1856. He built the first
courthouse here and many of the substantial buildings of the early days. His
wife was Prudence Tucker, who was born in Connecticut, and their children were
Charles Henry, Joseph Higgins and Emeiine Smith Clark. Charles Clark was one of
the founders of Plymouth church and was closely associated with the material and
moral development of this city. In politics he was always a stanch republican.
The political support of Mr. Cushman was also given to the republican party and
he never faltered in his allegiance to its principles, believing that its
platform con­tained the best elements of good government. He never sought to
figure prominently in connection with political office and was modest and
retiring in disposition but a man of sterling integrity, recognized by his many
associates as one who in every relation of life was thoroughly dependable. He
belonged to the Plymouth Congrega­tional church, of which he became a member
soon after his arrival in this city. He was ever an active worker in the church,
doing everything in his power to promote its growth and extend its influence. He
served as clerk, as treasurer and as Sunday school superintendent, was leader of
the choir and one of the church deacons. For fifteen years in the early days he
sang in the choir and for more than thirty years he served as deacon. His
religious faith was ever a permeating influence in his life and guided him in
all of his relations with his fellowmen. His memory remains as a blessed
benediction to all with whom he was associated.