An Illustrated History of the State of Washington, by Rev. H.K. Hines, D.D., The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago, IL., 1893, page 427 CHARLES W. CUSHING, of Vancouver, a contractor in painting and decorating, was born in Vermont. May 20, 1855, a son of John A. and Sarah (Jacques) Cushing, natives also of that State. The paternal ancestors were of English descent, and were among the early settlers of New England. The maternal ancestors of our subject were French, but located in America before Revolutionary days. Mr. and Mrs. Cushing located in Galesburg, Knox county, Illinois, where Charles W. attended school, and later apprenticed himself to a house and general painter. He worked as a Journeyman in this art until 1880, then, for a brief period, followed his trade in Kansas, and then returned to Illinois. In 1883 Mr. Cushing opened business on his own account in Vancouver, Washington, and, although starting with scarcely any capital, but being a thorough mechanic, he has been able, by hard work and perseverance, to reach the top rounds in the ladder of his profession. In his line he controls almost the entire trade of Vancouver, and employs about ten or twelve men, and often double that number in the busy season. Mr. Cushing contracted for and superintended the painting on the Columbia Hotel, the county courthouse, the Asylum for Defective Youths, and many other large buildings of Vancouver, both public and private, besides doing a large amount of Government work. His present place of business is on Eighth and B streets, where he carries a large stock of mixed paints, lead, oil, glass, moldings and wall paper. Our subject was married in this city, to Miss Bertha Hack, a native of Oregon, who died November 14, 1886. February 29, 1889, Mr. Cushing was united in marriage to Miss Frances Jacques. Submitted to the WA. Bios Project in October 2003 by Jeffrey L. Elmer * * * * Notice: These biographies were transcribed for the Washington Biographies Project. Unless otherwise stated, no further information is available on the individual featured in the biographies.