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- Compendium of History, Reminiscense and Biography
Francis M. Cushing
Francis M. Cushing, born in Uylsses, Potter county, Pennsylvania, December 7, 1847, was ninth of ten children in the family of Leavitt and Jane (Goodrich) Cushing. The Cushing family goes back in history to England, and the family have in their possession data and material placed in historical writings and published in book form for the gratification of the family at large. This history goes back in detail to 1327, and the original coat of arms of Roger Cossyn, William Cussseyn and others was undoubtedly "Gules and eagle displayed Argent". The Cushing family dates back in American history to Matthew Cushing, who came from Norfolk county, England, in 1638, sailing for Boston in the ship "Dilligent". The family from that date until the present time has been a prominent family in American history.
Mr. Cushing, subject of his biographical writing grew up in Pennsylvania and was a farm boy of Potter county, Pennsylvania, the father being one of the original settlers of that county. Francis M. Cushing, in company with T.N. Bennett and others, came to Nebraska in 1872, having left Pennsylvania the eighteenth of March. Mr. Cushing stopped in Howard county, remaining until July, 1872, when he came on up into Valley county, taking up a pre-emption claim in the southwest quarter of section fourteen, township nineteen, range fourteen. Mr. Cushing proved up on hi land in 1873, and in 1876 went to the Black Hills; in 1881 he made a visit to his old home in Potter county, Pennsylvania, returning again in the fall of 1883 for the girl of his heart, and on December 13 was married in Potter county to Miss Kate A. Bassett, at the home of her parents, Orren R. and Zeruah (Lewis) Bassett. Remaining in the Keystone state until June, 1884, Mr. and Mrs. Cushing came to Ord and built a town residence.
During the years intervening between 1872 and 1884, Mr. Cushing retained the ownership of his original pre-emption farm; after employment fo a number of years in Ord as carpenter and bridge builder, during this time being engaged in the bridge department of the Northwestern railroad, erecting all the bridges between Plum creek, in Brown county, and Valentine. Mr. Cushing erected a comfortable dwelling on the farm in 1903, which is now his residence.
Mr. and Mrs. Cushing have three children, named as follows: Frank Leavitt, Marion J., and Herbert Louis, all of whom are residing at home. Mr. and Mrs. Cushing and family have had much to do with the upbuilding of Valley county, and are widely and favorably known along social and educational lines.
Mr. Cushing, whilst not active along political lines, is independent in politics, and has always done his part toward the uplifting of his home county and state. The family are members of the Baptist church.
Mr. Cushing has weathered several of the worst Nebraska blizzards since he came to the west, and has seen the county devastated by grasshoppers, hail and drought. Mr. Cushing is fond of hunting and came to Loup Valley before the antelope, deer and elk had been driven from the plains.
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Bassett Family Association Database
