Lucy Ware Webb Hayes was the wife of the 19th President, Rutherford B. Hayes. She served as First Lady from 1877 to 1881.
Early Life
Eliza McCardle Johnson was born on October 4, 1810, in Greeneville, Tennessee. She was the only child of John McCardle, a shoemaker, and Sarah Phillips. They educated her at home, and she also attended Rhea Academy in Greenville, Tennessee.
Lucy Webb was born on August 28, 1831, in Chillicothe, Ohio. Two years later, her father, Dr. James Webb, died of cholera. In 1844, Lucy’s mother moved the family to Delaware, Ohio. Lucy’s brothers attended Ohio Wesleyan University. While women were not allowed at the university, Lucy was permitted to enroll in the college preparatory program. Lucy later transferred to Cincinnati Wesleyan Female College. She graduated in 1850 and was considered unusually well-educated for a young woman of her time.
Marriage to Rutherford Hayes
years later and fell in love. In his diary, Rutherford wrote: “Her low sweet voice is very winning … a heart as true as steel…. Intellect she has too…. By George! I am in love with her!” They were married in a simple ceremony on December 30, 1852. They went on to have eight children: Birchard Austin (1853-1926), Webb Cook (1856-1934), Rutherford Platt (1858-1927), Joseph Thompson (1861-1863), George Crook (1864-1866), Fanny (1867-1950), Scott Russell (1871-1923), and Manning Force (1873-1874).
The Hayes family lived in Cincinnati until the Civil War broke out. Lucy, a vocal critic of slavery, encouraged her husband to enlist as a major in the Twenty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Lucy often visited Rutherford in the field, helping to care for the wounded and comforting the dying. She earned the nickname “Mother Lucy” from the soldiers serving under her husband’s command. Meanwhile, her husband’s stature grew. He was elected to Congress and served three terms as governor of Ohio.
First Lady of the United States
In 1876, the Republican Party nominated Rutherford Hayes for president. While he won the election, Congress did not make it official until five month later on March 1, 1877. The Hayes actually left for Washington, D.C. without being sure Rutherford would become president. Lucy Hayes was the first President’s wife to be regularly called First Lady. Thanks to advancements in print technology, Lucy was acclaimed the “most widely known and popular President’s wife the country has known” by the time her husband left office.
Though she was a temperance advocate and liquor was banned at White House during the administration, she was a well-liked hostess. According to her official White House biography, her famous nickname “Lemonade Lucy” came into use only after Hayes left office. Lucy was also well-respected for her compassion and sincerity.
Later Life
After leaving the White House, the Hayes moved to a family home in Fremont, Ohio known as “Spiegel Grove.” They lived their happily together for eight years. After suffering a stroke, Lucy died on June 25, 1889, at the age of 57.
