Family of Rutherford B. & Lucy Webb Hayes  

After Rutherford B. Hayes earned a law degree from Harvard University in 1845, he practiced in Lower Sandusky, Ohio (Freemont, Ohio). Rutherford met Lucy Ware Webb while visiting relatives in Delaware, Ohio. Lucy was a recent graduate of Cincinnati Wesleyan Women’s College. After Lucy and Rutherford courted for two years, they were married in Cincinnati, Ohio, on December 30, 1852. Lucy and Rutherford married in her mother’s parlor.

The newly married couple lived with Lucy’s mother, Mrs. Maria Cook Webb, before buying a home in Cincinnati. Lucy and Rutherford’s first child was Birchard Austin, born November 4, 1853. Birchard became an attorney in Toledo, Ohio. He died there January 24, 1926.

Webb Cook Hayes was born March 20, 1856, in Cincinnati. He was a career military man, serving in the Spanish American War, Philippine Insurrection, Boxer Rebellion, and World War I. Webb was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Philippine Insurrection. Webb Cook Hayes died July 26, 1934, in Marion, Ohio.

Rutherford Platt Hayes was born June 24, 1858, in Cincinnati. Rutherford Platt was a librarian, bank executive, and real estate developer. Rutherford Platt Hayes died July 31, 1927, in Tampa, Florida.

Joseph Thompson Hayes was born Dec. 21, 1861, in Cincinnati. His brief life came to an end June 24, 1863, while visiting his father's military encampment at Camp White, near Charleston, West Virginia.

George Crook Hayes was born September 29, 1864, in Cincinnati, while Rutherford B. Hayes was away fighting in the Civil War. George was named for one his father's commanding officers. He was the second of three Hayes children to die in infancy - on May 24, 1866, in Cincinnati.

Fanny Hayes was born September 2, 1867, in Cincinnati, and was the apple of her father’s eye. Fanny was the only daughter of Rutherford and Lucy Hayes. Fanny was 10 years old when the family moved into the White House. Fanny's marriage to Harry Easton Smith ended in divorce after 22 years. The couple had one child. After the death of Lucy Hayes, Fanny became her father's constant companion. Fanny died March 19, 1950, in Lewiston, Maine.

During the White House years, Scott Russell Hayes and his sister attracted much attention. Born February 8, 1871, Scott turned six years old a month before his father became President. Scott's adult life was spent as a business executive, working in electrical and railroad manufacturing. He died May 6, 1923, in Ossining, New York.

The last of the Hayes children, Manning Force Hayes was the only one born at Spiegel Grove. His brief life came to an end barely a year after it had begun. Manning was born August 1, 1873, and died August 28, 1874, in Fremont.

The Hayes' had eight children, five of whom survived to adulthood. After her tenure as First Lady, Lucy and her husband returned to Spiegel Grove, the family estate in Fremont, Ohio. The family spent eight happy years there before Lucy suffered a stroke and died a few days later, on June 25, 1889.