#29 and #32 Rutherford B. Hayes

Rutherford B. Hayes

Born: October 4, 1822
Died: January 17, 1893
Political Party: Republican
Term as Governor: January 13, 1868 - January 8, 1872 and
                             January 10, 1876 - March 2, 1877
Buried: Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center Fremont, Ohio
1 of 56 in collection


     Rutherford B. Hayes is one of 2 Governors of Ohio who went on to serve as President of the United States. If you would like to see more Historical sites connected with President Hayes, here is a link to my blogpost on Hayes on my Presidential sites blog -  potushistoricalsites.blogspot.com/2011/08/rutherford-b-hayes.html . 

     Before the Civil War, Hayes was a lawyer. Afterwords he was a real Civil War hero. He survived 5 gunshot wounds throughout the course of the war. He served as a U.S. Congressman from Ohio before being elected Governor. Ohio Governors were elected every 2 years back then. His first 2 year term as Governor was more difficult because the Republican Hayes had a Democratic legislature to work with. But his 2nd term was more successful when Republicans took over the states legislature. He retired after his 2nd term. But when the Republicans nominated him for Governor in 1875, he accepted. He won the election and started his 3rd term as Governor in early 1876. Later that year he would win the Republican nomination for President. After a highly disputed election he became our 19th President on March 4, 1877.

   As President he would end reconstruction of the post Civil War south. He promised to serve only one term, and he was good to his word, not running for re election in 1880. He lived out an enjoyable retirement period where he gave alot back much like Jimmy Carter in our own day.

    I have visited Hayes' gravesite many times over the years, so it is without a doubt the my first Governor of Ohio gravesite visit.

Hayes gravesite at his Speigel Grove home in Fremont, Ohio. My daughter Khloe was just learning to walk when he made this particular visit.

Lawyer, General, Congressman, Governor, and President Hayes and wife Lucy Hayes gravesite.