Rutherford B. Hayes, 19th President of the United States
Rutherford B. Hayes, 19th President of the United States
Rutherford Birchard Hayes was born 203 years ago today, on October 4, 1822, in Delaware, Ohio. He was raised by his mother, Sophia Birchard Hayes, after his father passed away shortly before his birth. Hayes received a strong education, graduating from Kenyon College in 1842 and later earning a law degree from Harvard Law School in 1845.
Before becoming president, Hayes built a distinguished career in public service. He served with honor as a Union officer during the Civil War, where he was wounded multiple times and rose to the rank of brevet major general. After the war, he entered politics, serving as a U.S. Congressman and as Governor of Ohio for three terms.
Hayes became president in 1877 following one of the most contested elections in U.S. history. As president, he worked to end Reconstruction by withdrawing federal troops from the South, promoted civil service reform, and emphasized merit-based appointments in government. His presidency helped lay the groundwork for a more modern federal workforce and attempted to reconcile divisions left over from the Civil War.
- Hayes was married to Lucy Webb Hayes, known as “Lemonade Lucy” for banning alcohol in the White House; together they had eight children.
- An interesting fact about Hayes is that he was the first president to use a telephone in the White House, with the number simply being “1.”
- The Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library & Museums is located in Fremont, Ohio, and includes a large collection of his personal papers, Civil War correspondence, and artifacts—located near his family home, Spiegel Grove.
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