Background
Cushing, William Barker was born on November 4, 1842 in Delafield, Wisconsin, United States. Son of Milton and Mary (Smith) Cushing.
Cushing, William Barker was born on November 4, 1842 in Delafield, Wisconsin, United States. Son of Milton and Mary (Smith) Cushing.
Educated United States Military Academy, 1857-1861.
Master’s mate United States Navy, captured 1st Civil War prize, a tobacco schooner, 1861. Lieutenant in command gunboat Ellis, 1862. Executive officer ship Commodore Perry.
Commanded ship Commodore Barney.
Commanded ships Strokokon and Monticello, 1863. Noted for torpedoing Confederate ram Albemarle, 1864.
Lieutenant commander, 1853. Commanded ships Lancaster, 1865-1867, Maumee, 1868-1869.
Promoted commander, 1872.
Married Katherine Forbes, February 19, 1870, 2 children.