History Focus
October 4

He was born on October 4, 1822 in Delaware, Ohio.

American statesman and Republican president from 1877 to 1881. During his term he supported the welfare of minority groups and reformed the civil service.

Harvard Law School graduate Rutherford B. Hayes married Lucy Webb when he was 29. He and his wife loved children and parented eight of them. Mr. Hayes was wounded four times in the Civil War. He rose to the rank of major general. He was elected to Congress while he was still on the battlefield. After a very heated debate, he won the presidency by the narrowest margin of just one electoral vote.

During his administration the Congress complained that the annual Easter egg rolling festivities were ruining the Capitol's lawn. The Rutherfords' love for children would not allow the annual event to be cancelled. The event was then moved to the White House lawn, where it is still held today.

The Rutherfords had an unswerving ban on wine and liquor at all state functions. This was unpopular with all but the WCTU. The unhappy public began to call the First Lady - "Lemonade Lucy."

Rutherford kept his campaign promises. He pursued a conciliatory policy toward the South and withdrew troops from the South. He also, as promised, did not run for a second term as President.

He retired to, Spiegel Grove, his home in Freemont, Ohio. He spent the last 12 years of his life engaged in many philanthropic projects. His wife, Lucy, died in April of 1889. In the winter of 1893, completing a visit to a son in Cleveland, the 70 year old Hayes suffered a heart attack at the railroad depot. He spurned medical help and returned home from Cleveland. Though quite ill, he clung to life until he reached Spiegle Grove. He died on January 17, 1893. His last words were: "I know that I am going where Lucy is."

Sources: On This Day | Panati's Extraordinary Endings