Stephen B. Cushing

After studying law with David Woodcock, he was admitted to the bar in New York in 1835, and began practicing in Ithaca, New York.^[2] Shortly thereafter, he became law partners with former U.S. Representative Charles Humphrey, remaining so until Humphrey became clerk of the Supreme Court of New York in Albany.^[1] In 1843, he went into partnership with his brother-in-law, Benjamin G. Ferris,^[3] until he became Attorney General in 1855.^[1]

He was a Democratic member from Tompkins County of the New York State Assembly in the 75th New York State Legislature, serving from January 1 to December 31, 1852.^[4]

He was New York State Attorney General from 1856 to 1857, elected on the American Party ticket.^[5] While he was Attorney General, he was the prosecutor in the trial of Emma Cunningham for the murder of Dr. Harvey Burdell, a prosperous dentist in New York City in 1857. The case is considered one of the most famous cases in the American Victorian-era.^[6]

Afterwards he removed to New York City and practiced law there in partnership with Daniel E. Sickles, a former U.S. Representative who served as the United States Minister to Spain after Cushing's death.^[7] Sickles had gained notoriety in 1859, when he murdered his wife's lover, Philip Barton Key, son of Francis Scott Key, across the street from the White House.^[8]

In 1836, he married Mary Woodcock (c. 1815–1868), a daughter of Cushing's former law teacher, Democratic-Republican U.S. Representative from New York, David Woodcock.^[2] Mary's sister, Elizabeth Cornelia Woodcock, was married to Cushing's law partner, Benjamin G. Ferris.^[9] Together, Stephen and Mary were the parents of:^[10]

• Ferris Cushing (1840–1869), who served in the U.S. Civil War.^[11]
• Mary W. Cushing (1843–1911)
• Charles Humphrey Cushing (1847–1917), who became a member of the Producers' Petroleum exchange.^[12]

According to Cushing's Williams obituary, "there were few more popular orators in western New York, and as an after-dinner speaker he probably had no equal. Of a genial and enthusiastic nature few men ever enjoyed a wider degree of personal popularity."^[1]

Cushing died in New York City on June 9, 1868.^[2]