Early Life and Education

Rutherford B. Hayes was born in Delaware, Ohio, in 1822. Rutherford’s father, a Scottish storekeeper, died several months before his birth, and his paternal uncle served as his father figure. Rutherford attended Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio, and graduated in 1842 at the top of his class. He graduated from Harvard Law School in 1845. Rutherford married Lucy Ware Webb in 1856. Together, they had eight children, two of which died before they were three.

Civil War

Rutherford’s military career began in 1858 when he accepted an appointment as solicitor for the city of Cincinnati. During the US Civil War, Rutherford served as a major in the 23rd Ohio infantry, which fought for Union forces. He would eventually be promoted to major general and would be the only future US president to be wounded in the war.

Rutherfraud?

Rutherford’s political career began in 1864 when he was nominated to Congress by the governor of Ohio and served from 1868 to 1872. He would serve as governor of Ohio from 1868 to 1872. In 1876, Hayes was nominated for president of the United States, though he was not expected to win. Nevertheless, he proved victorious by one electoral vote, though the Democratic Party alleged the vote was fraudulent and would refer to Hayes as “Rutherfraud B. Hayes.” The election was so close that a special committee known as the Electoral Commission was set up to decide the winner.

Rutherford B. Hayes Postage Stamp

Labor Problems

On March 4, 1877, Hayes became the 19th president and first to take the presidential oath in the White House. During his presidency, workers from the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company went on strike (refused to work). The strike spread and railroad workers throughout the country refused to work. The labor disputes exploded into riots in several cities, and Rutherford made the controversial decision to send federal troops to control the riots. These troops would eventually fire into some of the crowds of rioters, killing seventy people. Although peace was restored, many were unhappy with Rutherford’s response to the matter. During his presidency, Hayes also signed bills that allowed for the development of lands in the desert southwest and other lands in the west. Rutherford did not run for a second term as president and died of a heart attack on January 17, 1893.

Discussion Questions

1. Why was Rutherford B. Hayes sometimes called “Rutherfraud” by his opponents?
2. How did Rutherford’s experiences in the Civil War shape his future political career?
3. What were the consequences of Hayes’s decision to send troops during the railroad strike?
4. What are some accomplishments and controversies of Hayes’s presidency?

Glossary

• Solicitor: A legal officer or lawyer.
• Infantry: Soldiers who fight on foot.
• Electoral Commission: A special group created to settle disputes in the 1876 election.
• Strike: When workers refuse to work to protest working conditions or pay.
• Riots: Violent disturbances by a crowd.

Four Interesting Facts

• Hayes was the only future U.S. president to be wounded in the Civil War.
• He won the presidency by just one electoral vote.
• He was the first president to take the oath of office in the White House.
• He signed laws promoting development in the American Southwest and western lands.