A Boy Named Rutherford
In a cozy house in Delaware, Ohio, a special baby boy was born on October 4, 1822. His parents named him Rutherford Birchard Hayes. Everyone called him "Rud" for short.
Little Rud's father had died before he was born, so his mother Sophia raised him with lots of love. She wanted him to be smart and kind. His big sister Fanny helped too, reading him stories and teaching him new things.
"Rud," his mother would say, "education is the key to a bright future!" She made sure he went to the best schools she could find.
At school, Rud was a very good student. He made lots of friends because he was nice to everyone. His teachers said he was one of the smartest kids they had ever taught!
When Rud grew bigger, he went to college at Kenyon College in Ohio. He studied very hard and became the best student in his class. After college, he decided to become a lawyer because he wanted to help people.
Growing Up Brave
As Rud grew into a young man, he showed everyone how brave he was. When the Civil War started, he joined the army to fight for what he believed in – that all people should be free. ️
"I must do what's right," he told his family. "Even if it's hard."
In the army, Rud became a leader. His soldiers liked him because he was fair and caring. He got hurt five times fighting in battles, but he never gave up!
“The most important thing is to do what’s right and help others,” Rud would often say to his friends.
After the war, people saw how good a leader Rud was. They asked him to be the governor of Ohio. He said yes because he wanted to help make his state better. He worked hard to make schools better and help poor people.
A Family Man
Rud married a nice lady named Lucy. They had eight children together and made a happy home. Lucy was smart too, and she helped Rud make good decisions.
Their house was always full of laughter and love. The Hayes children played in the yard while their parents watched with big smiles. They had pets too – dogs and horses that the whole family loved.
Young Rud grew up to be an honest and caring person. He always tried to do what was right, even when it wasn't easy. His mother had taught him well, and he never forgot her lessons about being kind and working hard.
He showed everyone that a boy from a small town in Ohio could grow up to do big things. But the biggest adventures of Rud's life were still to come. People would soon ask him to take on an even bigger job – one that would change the whole country!
The little boy who loved to read books would grow up to make history. And it all started in that cozy house in Delaware, Ohio, with a mother who believed in her son and taught him to believe in himself.
The Great Election Mystery
The year was 1876, and something very special was happening in America. It was time to pick a new president! Rutherford Hayes was running against Samuel Tilden. ️
On election night, everyone thought Tilden would win. He got more votes from regular people. But something funny happened with the special votes called electoral votes.
The Counting Problem
"We can’t tell who won!" people said. Three states couldn’t agree on who got their votes – Florida, Louisiana, and South Carolina.
Hayes sat in his home in Ohio, waiting for news. His wife Lucy held his hand and said, "We must be patient."
“The most important thing is that we find out the truth,” Hayes told his friends. “We want what’s best for our country.”
The Special Team
To fix this big problem, the country made a special team of 15 smart people. They would look at all the votes very carefully and decide who won.
Days turned into weeks. Weeks turned into months. Everyone waited to find out who would be the next president.
A Big Decision
Finally, after lots of talking and thinking, the special team made their choice. They said Rutherford Hayes would be the new president!
Some people were happy, and some were sad. But Hayes promised to be a president for everyone, not just the people who voted for him.
"We must work together to make our country better," Hayes said in a kind voice. "It doesn’t matter if you voted for me or not."
Getting Ready
Hayes and Lucy packed their bags and got ready to move to the White House. Their children were excited about living in such a famous place! ️
But Hayes knew being president wouldn’t be easy. The country had lots of problems to fix. People in the South and North were still angry at each other after the Civil War.
Lucy smiled at her husband and said, "You always do what’s right. That’s what makes you special."
Hayes nodded and looked out the window. He would need all his smarts and kindness to be a good president. Big changes were coming to America, and Hayes would help lead the way.
The strange election was over, but Hayes’s biggest job was just beginning. He would need to make some very important decisions that would change America forever.
A Time for Peace
The sun rose over Washington D.C. as Rutherford Hayes walked into the White House for his first day as president. His heart was full of hope, but he knew he had a big job ahead.
A Big Promise
To become president, Hayes made a special deal. He would take the soldiers out of the South. These soldiers had been there since the Civil War ended.
“But what about the people the soldiers protect?” Lucy asked with worry in her voice.
“We must trust that people can learn to live together in peace,” Hayes replied softly. “The soldiers can’t stay forever.”
Making Friends
Hayes invited leaders from the South to visit him. They sat in big comfy chairs and talked about how to make things better.
“If we remove the soldiers,” Hayes said, “you must promise to be fair to everyone. Every person deserves to be treated with kindness.”
Changes Come to America
Soon, the soldiers packed their bags and went home. Some people were happy about this, but others were scared.
Hayes worked hard to make sure everyone followed the rules:
- Schools had to teach all children
- Everyone should get to vote
- People must be treated fairly at work
A New Way Forward
Hayes and Lucy walked through the White House garden one evening. The air was warm, and fireflies danced around them. ✨
“Do you think we did the right thing?” Lucy asked.
“Sometimes being president means making hard choices,” Hayes answered. “We must believe in people’s goodness.”
Looking to Tomorrow
Every night, Hayes wrote in his diary about his hopes for America. He dreamed of a country where everyone could be happy and free.
“Change takes time,” he would tell visitors. “But if we work together, we can make America better for everyone.”
The sun set on Washington, and Hayes stood at his window. The Compromise of 1877 had changed America forever. Now it was time to see what tomorrow would bring.
Many people still weren’t sure if Hayes made the right choice. But he believed that sometimes you have to take a chance on peace. The real work of bringing the country together was just beginning.
Leading with Hope
President Hayes sat at his big desk in the White House. He had many problems to fix. But he was ready to work hard!
Making the Government Better
“We need good people working in the government,” Hayes told Lucy one morning over breakfast. “People who care about doing what’s right.”
“But some folks just want jobs for their friends,” Lucy said with a frown.
“That’s why we need new rules,” Hayes replied with determination.
Fighting for Fair Jobs
Hayes made a new rule: people had to take a test to work for the government. They couldn’t just be someone’s friend!
Some people got mad about this. They liked giving jobs to their friends. But Hayes stood strong.
Helping Everyone Learn
Hayes loved books and learning. He wanted all children to go to school and get smart.
He visited many schools and talked to teachers. “Every child deserves a chance to learn,” he would say.
Standing Up for Rights
Even though the soldiers left the South, Hayes didn’t forget about helping people there. He tried to make sure everyone could:
- Vote in elections
- Go to good schools
- Get fair jobs
- Feel safe in their homes
Special White House Rules
Hayes and Lucy made some fun changes at the White House! They said no one could drink wine or beer there.
“We want to set a good example,” Lucy explained to their guests.
Working Hard Every Day
Hayes woke up early every morning. He worked until the sun went down.
“Being president is like being a teacher, a judge, and a helper all at once,” he told his children.
Some days were hard. Some people didn’t like his new rules. But Hayes kept trying to do what was right.
“The best leaders don’t give up when things get tough,” he wrote in his diary. “They keep working to make things better.”
As the days passed, Hayes could see small changes happening. People were learning to work together better. The country was slowly healing from its old hurts.
A New Chapter Begins
The year was 1881. Rutherford B. Hayes walked out of the White House one last time. He wasn’t sad – he was excited!
Back Home to Ohio
Hayes and Lucy moved back to their beautiful home in Ohio. They called it “Spiegel Grove” because of all the pretty mirrors inside.
“What should we do now?” Lucy asked one morning.
“Let’s help as many people as we can!” Hayes answered with a big smile.
Helping Kids Learn
Hayes loved visiting schools. He wanted every child to have good books and nice teachers.
“Knowledge is like a magic key,” he would tell children. “It can open any door!”
Making Prisons Better
Hayes visited many prisons. He saw that they needed to be cleaner and safer. The people there needed help learning new jobs.
“Everyone deserves a chance to become better,” Hayes told prison workers.
Speaking Up for Others
Even though he wasn’t president anymore, Hayes kept fighting for what was right. He wanted to make sure:
- All kids could go to school
- Workers got fair pay
- People were treated kindly
- Everyone had a chance to succeed
Happy Days at Home
Hayes loved spending time with his family at Spiegel Grove. They had many visitors.
“Our door is always open to friends,” Lucy would say.
Writing and Remembering
Hayes wrote in his diary every day. He wrote about his hopes for America.
“I dream of a country where everyone helps each other,” he wrote. “Where no one is left behind.”
People still came to ask Hayes for advice. They knew he was wise and kind. He never stopped trying to make the world better.
Every morning, Hayes would look at his beautiful trees and think about the future. He knew that small good deeds could grow into big changes, just like tiny seeds grow into tall trees.
A Lasting Legacy
On a cold winter morning in 1893, America said goodbye to Rutherford B. Hayes. But his good work lives on today!
The Things People Remember
Hayes did many special things that helped America grow:
- Made schools better for all children
- Helped lots of people get good jobs
- Worked to make prisons nicer
- Planted thousands of beautiful trees
His Special Home
Today, you can visit Hayes’s home, Spiegel Grove!
“This house tells the story of a man who loved America,” says Sarah, a tour guide. “Kids love seeing where a president lived!”
A Library Full of Dreams
Hayes left all his books to help other people learn. His library is still open today!
The Trees He Planted
The trees Hayes planted are now huge and beautiful. People come from far away to see them.
“These trees remind us that good things take time to grow,” says Tom, the garden keeper.
What We Can Learn
Hayes taught us many important things:
✨ Be kind to everyone
✨ Help others learn
✨ Stand up for what’s right
✨ Never stop trying to make things better
His Story Lives On
Every year, thousands of people learn about Hayes. They see how one person can make big changes by being kind and working hard.
Rutherford B. Hayes showed us that you don’t have to be president to make a difference. You just need to care about others and try your best every day.
His story teaches us that small acts of kindness can grow into big changes. Like the trees he planted, good deeds grow stronger over time.
The next time you help someone or stand up for what’s right, remember Hayes. You’re adding your own page to America’s story of doing good things for others.