Whatever Happened to Rutherford B. Hayes’ 8 Children – 19th U.S. President | HO!!

FREMONT, OHIO — Behind the polished image of the 19th President of the United States, Rutherford B. Hayes, lies a family story marked by achievement, heartbreak, and resilience. Hayes and his beloved wife, Lucy Webb Hayes, welcomed eight children into their lives. Some became war heroes and innovators, while others faced untimely ends. In tracing the journey of each Hayes child, we uncover a compelling chapter of American history—a tale of triumph, tragedy, and legacy.

1. Burchard Austin Hayes (1853–1926): The Trailblazer

Born in Cincinnati, Burchard Austin Hayes was the eldest son, named after Rutherford’s uncle Sardis Burchard. His childhood was shaped by the Civil War, spending winters near his father’s military camp in West Virginia. After the war, Burchard excelled academically, graduating from Cornell University in 1874 and Harvard Law School in 1877.

Rather than join his father in Washington, Burchard forged his own path as a lawyer in New York and later Toledo, Ohio, where he became a partner in the firm Swain, Swain & Hayes. Known for his expertise in tax and real estate law, Burchard built a reputation for fairness and dignity. He married Mary Sherman in 1886, and together they raised four sons. After Rutherford’s death in 1893, Burchard became the family patriarch, guiding his siblings and helping manage the Hayes estate. He passed away in 1926, leaving behind a legacy of quiet leadership.

2. James Webb Cook Hayes (1856–1934): The Adventurer

James “Webb” Hayes, named for Lucy’s maiden name, was the family’s bold spirit. As a child, Webb spent time in Civil War camps and was mentored by General George Crook, sparking a lifelong love of the outdoors and military service.

Webb attended Cornell University but left early to serve as his father’s secretary during Rutherford’s presidency. He later co-founded a company that became part of Union Carbide, showing a knack for business and innovation. When the Spanish-American War erupted, Webb volunteered, serving in three conflicts: the Spanish-American War, the Philippine Insurrection, and the Boxer Rebellion. He earned the Medal of Honor for a daring rescue mission in the Philippines.

Webb’s greatest legacy may be the creation of the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library & Museum at the family estate, Spiegel Grove—America’s first presidential library. He died in 1934, having lived a life of adventure and public service.

3. Rutherford Platt Hayes (1858–1927): The Builder

Carrying both his father’s famous name and his mother’s maiden name, Rutherford Platt Hayes chose a quieter but influential path. A Cornell graduate, he became a leader in library science, serving as president of the American Library Association and founding the Ohio Library Association.

Rutherford Platt pioneered innovations like children’s reading rooms and rural book delivery, and advocated for inclusive community development in Asheville, North Carolina. He worked with African-American entrepreneur Edward W. Pearson to create neighborhoods for Black families—a progressive move for the era. He spent his later years in Florida, remaining active in civic projects until his death in 1927.

4. Joseph Thompson Hayes (1861–1863): The Lost Son

Joseph’s story is a poignant reminder of the fragility of life in the 19th century. Born during the Civil War, he died at just 18 months old after falling ill while visiting his father’s military camp. His death deeply affected Rutherford and Lucy, fueling Lucy’s later work with war refugees and orphans.

5. George Crook Hayes (1864–1866): Another Heartbreak

Named for General George Crook, George was born during the war but died of scarlet fever at 20 months old. The loss of a second child in three years was devastating for the Hayes family, reinforcing the hardships they endured alongside their public service.

6. Francis “Fanny” Hayes (1867–1950): The President’s Darling

The only daughter, Fanny Hayes, was cherished by her father. She spent her formative years in the White House, where she was christened in a celebrated ceremony. Educated at elite schools, Fanny was close to her mother, Lucy, whose death in 1889 left her devastated.

Fanny married naval officer Harry Eaton Smith in 1897, with President William McKinley attending the wedding. She became a Navy wife and mother to Dalton Hayes Smith, but her marriage ended in divorce—a rare move for women of her era. Fanny spent her later years traveling and living in Maine, outliving all her siblings. She died in 1950, just months after her son’s death, closing the chapter on the Hayes children.

7. Scott Russell Hayes (1871–1923): The Innovator

Scott, the youngest surviving son, grew up in the White House and attended Cornell. He built a career in the electrical industry, working for General Electric and the New York Air Brake Company. Scott married Maud Anderson and lived in New York’s Hudson Valley, naming his estate Spiegel Farm after the family home.

A dramatic shipwreck off Peru in 1919, followed by a harrowing rescue involving circus animals, left Scott traumatized. He died in 1923 of a brain tumor, his adventurous life cut short.

8. Manning Force Hayes (1873–1874): The Final Loss

The last Hayes child, Manning, was born at Spiegel Grove and named for General Manning Ferguson Force. He died at just 13 months old, another blow to the family already marked by loss.

A Family of Triumph and Tragedy

The Hayes children’s stories reflect the era’s challenges—war, disease, and the pressures of public life. Yet, amid heartbreak, the surviving siblings forged legacies in law, business, military service, and public education. Their contributions, especially Webb’s creation of the first presidential library and Rutherford Platt’s library advocacy, continue to shape American institutions.

Today, visitors to Oakwood Cemetery in Fremont can find the Hayes family plot—a quiet testament to a family that weathered both the storms of history and the private sorrows behind the public face of the presidency. The untold story of Rutherford B. Hayes’ children is not just a footnote to American history, but a moving portrait of resilience, service, and the enduring bonds of family.