Cushing Eells was born at Blandford, Massachusetts on February 16, 1810. He graduated from East Windsor Theological Institute in Connecticut in 1837 although he had been licensed to preach on December 14, 1836. The American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions sent him to the Oregon Territory as a missionary. Rev. Eells married Myra Fairbanks on March 5, 1838 in Massachusetts. On March 6, 1838 the couple headed west as missionaries of the Indians of old Oregon. They arrived with three other couples at the Whitman Mission in August, 1838. Soon after, each family established their own mission with the Eells settling among the Spokane Indians along with the Walkers. With the death of the Whitmans and others and the ensuing Northwest Indian Wars the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions ended the support of missions in the area. The Eells moved to Oregon and settled in Forest Grove for the next 14 years. In 1859, the area that had been closed reopened and the Eells moved back to the Walla Walla Valley. During this time Rev. Eells built a school in memory of the Whitmans called Whitman College; traveled Washington Territory founding Congregational churches and schools; and simultaneously, he served as superintendent of schools for Walla Walla County. Rev. and Mrs. Eells had three sons: Cyprus Hamlin Walker, born Dec. 7, 1838; Edwin, born July 7, 1838; Myron, born Oct. 7, 1843. Mrs. Eells passed away in 1878. Rev. Eells passed away in Tacoma, Wash, on Feb. 16, 1893.
From the description of Collection of Eells family papers. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 166276024
