October 4
Rutherford B. Hayes Born in Delaware, Ohio
Summary
Rutherford Birchard Hayes was born on October 4, 1822, in Delaware, Ohio, several weeks after the death of his father. He graduated from Kenyon College and Harvard Law School and established a legal career in Cincinnati. During the Civil War, Hayes served in the Union Army, was wounded multiple times, and rose to major general. He later served in Congress and three terms as governor of Ohio. Hayes became the Republican presidential nominee in 1876 and won the presidency after one of the most disputed elections in American history. A special electoral commission awarded contested electoral votes to Hayes, giving him a one-vote Electoral College victory over Samuel J. Tilden. Hayes served as the nineteenth president from 1877 to 1881. His administration withdrew remaining federal troops from Southern statehouses, pursued civil-service reform, and confronted major labor unrest including the Great Railroad Strike of 1877.
Why It Matters
Hayes's presidency is closely tied to the disputed election of 1876 and the end of federal Reconstruction enforcement in the South. Withdrawal of troops contributed to the weakening of protections for Black political participation and civil rights. Hayes also promoted civil-service reform and dealt with major national labor unrest, making his administration important to the transition from Reconstruction to the politics of the late nineteenth century.
Related Sites
- America 250 Atlas: A presidential profile placing Rutherford B. Hayes within United States history.
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Sources
- Rutherford B. Hayes: A Resource Guide, Library of Congress. Accessed 2026-08-25.
- National Register Documentation for Spiegel Grove, National Park Service. Accessed 2026-08-25.