The Lives of the Presidents Rutherford Birchard Hayes, James Abram Garfield, and Chester Alan Arthur
by William O Stoddard. 1889.
Rutherford Birchard Hayes, the 19th President of the United States, is depicted in this book as a figure shaped by his early life experiences, legal career, and political ambitions. Born into a family that valued education and hard work, Hayes excelled academically and developed a keen interest in law and politics. His journey through the tumultuous political landscape of the Civil War era, culminating in his presidency, is marked by a commitment to civil service reform and national unity, as he navigated the complexities of post-war America and the challenges of electoral legitimacy. The narrative highlights his personal qualities, including kindness and a spirited nature, which endeared him to colleagues and constituents alike.