Our Arklahoma Heritage: Artist who's work resides in the US Capitol spent time in Logan County in the late 1800's

Warren S. Cushman

Warren S. Cushman (1845–1926) was a multifaceted American artist who, after serving in the Civil War, became a respected painter, sculptor, and photographer.

While he is noted for a period of artistic activity in Logan Count the details of his time there are not well-documented. However, his life is marked by a return to his native Ohio, a flourishing artistic career that gained national recognition, and a unique, self-made monument that serves as his final resting place.

His portrait of President Rutherford B. Hayes hangs in the U.S. Capitol, a lasting testament to his skill.

Born in Woodstock, Champaign County, Ohio, in 1845, Warren S. Cushman was a son of Franklin and Susan (Gifford) Cushman. He grew up with three siblings: Julius, Charles, and Lucy. His early life was interrupted by the Civil War, during which he served as the regimental bugler in the 134th Ohio Volunteer Infantry.

In 1867, Cushman married Jocele Calender, and together they raised four children: Scott, Mabel, Byron, and Charlotte. It was after the war that Cushman's artistic inclinations began to shape his professional life.

Following his military service, Warren S. Cushman resided in Logan County. While historical records confirm his presence and reputation as a "prominent Logan County artist," specific details of his time in the state are scarce.

It is known that he was active as a painter during this period, and it is likely that he honed his skills creating portraits and other works for the local community. The exact duration of his stay and a comprehensive record of the pieces he created in Arkansas remain largely unknown.

After his time in Arkansas, Cushman returned to his home state of Ohio, where his artistic career blossomed. He settled first in Urbana and later, in the late 1880s, moved to Springfield.

A largely self-taught artist, Cushman sought to refine his skills by traveling to Washington, D.C., in 1875 to study the collections at the Corcoran Gallery of Art.

Cushman's artistic endeavors were diverse. In addition to his celebrated portraits, he was also a skilled sculptor, photographer, and musician. His painting "Spanish Dancing Girls" is believed to have been exhibited at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago.

The pinnacle of Cushman's artistic achievement was his portrait of President Rutherford B. Hayes.

This distinguished work was acquired for the nation's collection and continues to be displayed in the U.S. Capitol, a significant honor that secured his place in the annals of American art.

Warren S. Cushman passed away on April 20, 1926. He is buried in the Rush Township cemetery in his hometown of Woodstock, Ohio, beneath a remarkable and towering monument of his own creation. This ambitious sculpture, crafted from cast cement, pays homage to nearly twenty members of the Cushman family.

The monument stands as a unique and enduring legacy, encapsulating the artistic spirit of a man who traveled from the battlefields of the Civil War to the halls of the U.S. Capitol, leaving his artistic mark along the way.