Future President Rutherford B. Hayes and his wedding day

Rutherford B. Hayes, born on October 4, 1822, in Delaware, Ohio, was the 19th president of the United States. Hayes came from a family with a history of military service, and he himself became a lawyer and a soldier. He served in the Civil War as a major general in the Union Army and was wounded multiple times, showing great courage and leadership.

After the war, Hayes entered politics, serving as a congressman and then as governor of Ohio. His political career was marked by his moderate stance and commitment to civil rights, particularly in the aftermath of the Civil War and during the Reconstruction era. Hayes was elected president in 1876 in one of the most contentious elections in U.S. history. The election was decided by a special electoral commission after widespread disputes over votes in several states, and Hayes won by a narrow margin.

One of the key moments of his presidency was his decision to end Reconstruction by withdrawing federal troops from the South, a move that was meant to restore peace and bring the nation together but led to the rise of Jim Crow laws in the South. He also advocated for civil service reform and worked to reduce government corruption.

Hayes served only one term, from 1877 to 1881, and, honoring his campaign pledge, did not seek re-election. After his presidency, he returned to Ohio, where he became involved in education reform and continued to be active in public life. Rutherford B. Hayes passed away on January 17, 1893. Despite the controversy surrounding his election and presidency, he is remembered for his commitment to fairness, civil rights, and reform.