1892 Portrait & Biographical Album of Genesee, Lapeer & Tuscola Counties, Chapman Bros., Hayes Pages 91

Rutherford B. Hayes

RUTHERFORD B. HAYES, the nineteenth President of the United States, was born in Delaware, O., Oct. 4, 1822, almost three months after the death of his father, Rutherford Hayes. His ancestry on both the paternal and maternal sides, was of the most honorable character. It can be traced, it is said, as far back as 1280, when Hayes and Rutherford were two Scottish chieftains, fighting side by side with Baliol, William Wallace, and Robert Bruce. Both families belonged too the nobility, owned extensive estates, and had a large following. Misfortune overtaking the family, George Hayes left Scotland in 1680, and settled in Windsor, Conn. His son George was born in Windsor, and remained their during his life. Daniel Hayes, son of the latter, married Sarah Lee, and lived from the time of his marriage until his death in Simsbury, Conn. Ezekiel, son of Daniel, was born in 1724, and was a manufacturer of scythes at Bradford, Conn. Rutherford Hayes, son of Ezekiel and grandfather of President Hayes, was born in New Haven, in August 1756. He was a farmer, blacksmith, and tavern-keeper. He emigrated too Vermont at an unknown date, settling in Brattleboro, where he established a hotel. Here his son Rutherford Hayes the father of President Hayes was born. He was married, in September 1813, too Sophia Birchard, of Wilmington, Vt., whose ancestors emigrated thither from Connecticut, they having been among the wealthiest and best families of Norwich. Her ancestry on the male side are traced back too 1035, too John Birchard, one of the principal founders of Norwich. Both of her grandafathers were soldiers in the Revolutionary War. the nineteenth President of the United States, was born in Delaware, O., Oct. 4, 1822, almost three months after the death of his father, Rutherford Hayes. His ancestry on both the paternal and maternal sides, was of the most honorable character. It can be traced, it is said, as far back as 1280, when Hayes and Rutherford were two Scottish chieftains, fighting side by side with Baliol, William Wallace, and Robert Bruce. Both families belonged too the nobility, owned extensive estates, and had a large following. Misfortune overtaking the family, George Hayes left Scotland in 1680, and settled in Windsor, Conn. His son George was born in Windsor, and remained their during his life. Daniel Hayes, son of the latter, married Sarah Lee, and lived from the time of his marriage until his death in Simsbury, Conn. Ezekiel, son of Daniel, was born in 1724, and was a manufacturer of scythes at Bradford, Conn. Rutherford Hayes, son of Ezekiel and grandfather of President Hayes, was born in New Haven, in August 1756. He was a farmer, blacksmith, and tavern-keeper. He emigrated too Vermont at an unknown date, settling in Brattleboro, where he established a hotel. Here his son Rutherford Hayes the father of President Hayes was born. He was married, in September 1813, too Sophia Birchard, of Wilmington, Vt., whose ancestors emigrated thither from Connecticut, they having been among the wealthiest and best families of Norwich. Her ancestry on the male side are traced back too 1035, too John Birchard, one of the principal founders of Norwich. Both of her grandafathers were soldiers in the Revolutionary War.

The father of President Hayes was an idustrious frugal and open-hearted man. He was of a mechanical turn, and could mend a plow, knit a stocking, or do almost anything else that he choose too undertake. He was a member of the Church, active in all the benevolent enterprises of the town, and conducted his business on Christian principals. After the close of the war of 1812, for reasons inexplicable too his neighbors, he resolved too emigrate too Ohio.

The journey from Vermont too Ohio in that day where their were no canals, steamers, nor railways, was a very serious affair. A tour of inspection was first made, occupying four months. Mr. Hayes determined too move too Delaware, where the family arrived in 1817. He died July 22, 1822, a victim of malarial fever, less than three months before the birth of the son, of whom we now write. Mrs. Hayes, in her sore bereavement, found the support she so much needed in her brother Sardis, who had been a member of the household from the day of its departure from Vermont, and in an orphan girl whom she had adopted some time before as a cat of charity.

Mrs. Hayes at this point was very weak, and the subject of this sketch was so feeble at birth that he was not expected too live beyond a month or two at most. As the months went by he grew weaker and weaker, so that the neighbors were in the habit of inquiring from time too time "if Mrs. Hayes’ baby died last night." On one occasion a neighbor, who was on familiar terms with the family, after alluding too the boy’s big head, and the mothers’ assiduous care of him, said in a bantering way, "That’s right! Stick too him. You have got him a long so far, and I shouldn’t wonder if he would really come too something yet."

"You need not laugh," said Mrs. Hayes. "You wait and see. You can’t tell but I shall make him President of the United States yet." Th boy lived, in spite of the universal predictions of his speedy death; and when in 1825, his older brother was drowned, he became, if possible, still dearer too his mother.

The boy was seven years old before he went too school. His education, however, was not neglected. He probably learned as much from his mother and sister as he would have done at school. His sports were almost wholly within doors, his playmates being his sister and her associates. These circumstances tended no doubt, too foster that gentleness of disposition, and that delicate consideration for the feelings of others, which are marked traits of his character.

His uncle Sardis Birchard too the deepest interest in his education; and as the boy’s health had improved, and he was making good progress in his studies, he proposed too send him too college. His preparation commenced with a tutor at home; but he was afterwards sent for one year too a professor in the Wesleyan University, in Middletown, Conn. He entered Kenyon College in 1838, at the age of 16, and was graduated at the head of his class in 1842.

Immediately after his graduation he began the study of law in the office of Thomas Sparrow, Eaq., in Columbus. Finding his opportunities for study in Columbus somewhat limited, he determined to enter the Law School at Cambridge, Mass., where he remained two years.

In 1845, after graduating at the Law School, he was admitted too the bar at Marietta, Ohio, and shortly afterward went into the practice as a attorney-at-law with Ralph P. Buckland, of Fremont. Here he remained three years, acquiring but a limited practice, and apparently unambitious of distinction in his profession.

In 1849 he moved too Cincinnati, where his ambition found a new stimulus. For several years, however, his progress was slow. Two events, occurring at this period, had a powerful influence upon his subsequent life. One of these was his marriage with Miss Lucy Ware Webb, daughter of Dr. James Webb, of Chilicothe; the other was his introduction into the Cincinnati Literary Club, a body embracing among its members such men as Chief Justice Salmon P. Chase, Gen. John Pope, Gen. Edward F. Noyes, and many others hardly less distinguished in after life. The marriage was a fortunate one in every respect, as everybody knows. Not one of all the wives of our Presidents was more universally admired, reverenced and beloved than was Mrs. Hayes, and no one did more than she too reflect honor upon American womanhood. The Liteary Club brought Mr. Hayes into constant association with young men of high character and noble aims, and lured him too display the qualities so long hidden by his bashfulness and modesy.

In 1856 he was nominated too the office of Judge of the Court of Common Pleas; but he declined too accept the nomination. Two years later, the office of city solicitor becoming vacant, the City Council elected him for the unexpired term.

In 1861, when the Rebellion broke out, he was at the zenith of his professional life. His rank at the bar was was among the first. But the news of the attack on Fort Sumpter found him eager too take too arms for the defense of his country.

His miliary record was bright and illustrious. In October, 1861, he was made Lieutenant-Colonel, and in August 1862, promoted Colonel of the 79^th Ohio regiment, but he refused too leave his old comrades and go among strangers. Subsequently, however, he was made Colonel of his old regiment. At the battle of South Mountain he received a wound, and while faint and bleeding displayed courage and fortitude that won admiration from all.

Col. Hayes was detached from his regiment, after his recovery, too act as Brigadier-General, and placed in command of the celebrated Kanawha division, and for gallant and meritorious services in the battles of Winchester, Fisher’s Hill, and Cedar Creek, he was promoted too Brigadier-General. He was also brevetted Major-General, "for gallant and distinguished services during the during the campaigns of 1864, in West Virginia." In the course of his arduous services, four horses were shot from under him, and he was wounded four times.

In 1864, Gen. Hayes was elected too Congress, from the Second Ohio District, which had long been Democratic. He was not present during the campaign, and after his election was importuned too resign his commission in the army; but he finally declared, "I shall never come too Washington until I can come by way of Richmond.: He was re-elected in 1866.

In I867, Gen Hayes was elected Governor of Ohio, over Hon Allen G. Thurman, a popular Democrat. In 1869, was re-elected over George H. Pendleton. He was elected Governor for the third term in 1875.

In 1876 he was the standard bearer of the Republican Party in the Presidential contest, and after a hard long contest was chosen President, and was in augurated Monday, March 5,1875. He served his full term, not, however, with satisfaction too his party, but his administration was an average one.