Rutherford B. Hayes

Rutherford B. Hayes was the 19th President of the United States, serving from 1877 to 1881, and is known for his role in ending the Reconstruction Era and his commitment to Civil Service Reform. He was a member of the Republican Party and had a strong background in Kenyon College and Harvard Law School. Hayes' life was marked by his involvement in the American Civil War, where he fought in the Battle of South Mountain and was wounded at the Battle of Winchester. He was also a strong supporter of Abraham Lincoln and the Union Army.

● Early Life and Education

Rutherford B. Hayes was born in Delaware, Ohio, to Rutherford Hayes and Sophia Birchard Hayes, and grew up in a family that valued Ohio Wesleyan University and Methodist Episcopal Church. He attended Kenyon College, where he studied under Charles Short, and later graduated from Harvard Law School, where he was influenced by Joseph Story and Simon Greenleaf. Hayes' early life was also shaped by his relationships with William McKinley and James A. Garfield, who would later become prominent figures in American politics. He was also acquainted with Salmon P. Chase, who would serve as the Chief Justice of the United States.

● Career

Before entering politics, Hayes worked as a lawyer in Cincinnati, Ohio, and later served in the American Civil War as a member of the 23rd Ohio Infantry. He fought in several battles, including the Battle of South Mountain and the Battle of Winchester, and was wounded several times. After the war, Hayes entered politics and served in the U.S. House of Representatives, where he was a strong supporter of Abraham Lincoln and the Radical Republicans. He later served as the Governor of Ohio, where he implemented various reforms, including the establishment of the Ohio State University and the Ohio State Board of Agriculture. Hayes was also a strong supporter of Ulysses S. Grant and the Reconstruction Era.

● Presidency

Hayes' presidency was marked by his commitment to Civil Service Reform and his role in ending the Reconstruction Era. He was elected in 1876, after a disputed election that was decided by the Electoral Commission, and was inaugurated on March 5, 1877. During his presidency, Hayes oversaw the withdrawal of federal troops from the Southern United States, which marked the end of the Reconstruction Era. He also supported the establishment of the United States Civil Service Commission and the passage of the Pendleton Civil Service Act. Hayes was also a strong supporter of education and infrastructure development, and oversaw the establishment of the United States Geological Survey and the United States Department of the Interior. He was also acquainted with Alexander Graham Bell and supported the development of the telephone.

● Post-Presidency

After leaving office, Hayes retired to his home in Fremont, Ohio, where he continued to be involved in politics and social issues. He was a strong supporter of prison reform and education, and served on the board of the Ohio State University and the Western Reserve University. Hayes also remained a prominent figure in the Republican Party and continued to support various causes, including the Women's Christian Temperance Union and the American Red Cross. He was also a strong supporter of Theodore Roosevelt and the Progressive Movement.

● Personal Life

Hayes was married to Lucy Webb Hayes, who was a strong supporter of women's rights and education. They had eight children together, including Sardis Birchard Austin Hayes, James Webb Cook Hayes, and Rutherford Platt Hayes. Hayes was also a strong supporter of Methodist Episcopal Church and was known for his commitment to social justice and human rights. He was also acquainted with Mark Twain and Thomas Edison, and was a strong supporter of innovation and progress. Hayes died on January 17, 1893, at his home in Fremont, Ohio, and was buried in Oakwood Cemetery. He is remembered as a strong leader who played a significant role in shaping American history, and his legacy continues to be felt today through the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center and the Lucy Webb Hayes National Training School for Deaconesses and Missionaries. Category:Presidents of the United States