Presidential First Lady. She was born in Chillicothe, Ohio and with the death of her father at age two, her mother moved the family to Delaware, Ohio. Lucy Web enrolled at Ohio Wesleyan and then transferred to Wesleyan Female College outside of Cincinnati graduating with honors and a college degree. Lucy first met the future President Rutherford B. Hayes when she was fourteen. Her mother became a matchmaker constantly bring them together. They engaged in a courtship during her schooling in Cincinnati, became engaged and were married in her mother's parlor. After the Civil War started, Rutherford became the commander of the 23rd Ohio Regiment. Lucy stayed with her husband while encamped with the Regiment earning her the nickname, "Mother of the Regiment." Hayes became the Ohio Governor. They inherited the Fremont, Ohio mansion "Spiegel Grove" and made it their home. In a close election, Rutherford B. Hayes became the chief executive of the land. Lucy was a member of the National Women's Temperance League and had alcohol banned from the White House earning her another nickname, "Lemonade Lucy." Other changes: cancellation of the inaugural ball, a no smoking policy and White House worship services twice a week. In honor of their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary, Lucy and Rutherford renewed their vows at a White House ceremony with their eight children in attendance. The press referred to her as "First Lady" a title now associated with each wife of a president while in office. Upon the ending of their Presidential term, they returned to Fremont and enjoyed eight years together. Lucy Hayes remained in the background working with the Methodist Missionary Society and made speeches on their behalf. Two years before the death of her husband, she was stricken by a stroke which took her life at the age of fifty Seven. She was interred in the Fremont City Cemetery as was her husband. Many years later they were transferred to the grounds of "Spiegel Grove" which today is the library of President Rutherford Hayes and a popular tourist destination.
Bio by: Donald Greyfield