There was no inaugural ball in 1877--when Rutherford B. Hayes and his wife,
Lucy, left Ohio for Washington, the outcome of the election was still in doubt.
Public fears had not subsided when it was settled in Hayes' favor; and when Lucy
watched her husband take his oath of office at the Capitol, her serene and
beautiful face impressed even cynical journalists.

She came to the White House well loved by many. Born in Chillicothe, Ohio,
daughter of Maria Cook and Dr. James Webb, she lost her father at age two. She
was just entering her teens when Mrs. Webb took her sons to the town of
Delaware to enroll in the new Ohio Wesleyan University, but she began studying
with its excellent instructors. She graduated from the Wesleyan Female College
in Cincinnati at 18, unusually well educated for a young lady of her day.

"Rud" Hayes at 27 had set up a law practice in Cincinnati, and he began paying
calls at the Webb home. References to Lucy appeared in his diary: "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!" Married in 1852, they lived in
Cincinnati until the Civil War, and he soon came to share her deeply religious
opposition to slavery. Visits to relatives and vacation journeys broke the
routine of a happy domestic life in a growing family. Over twenty years Lucy
bore eight children, of whom five grew up.

She won the affectionate name of "Mother Lucy" from men of the 23rd Ohio
Volunteer Infantry who served under her husband's command in the war. They
remembered her visits to camp--to minister to the wounded, cheer the homesick,
and comfort the dying. Hayes' distinguished combat record earned him election
to Congress, and three postwar terms as governor of Ohio. She not only joined
him in Washington for its winter social season, she also accompanied him on
visits to state reform schools, prisons, and asylums. As the popular first lady
of her state, she gained experience in what a woman of her time aptly called
"semi-public life."

Thus she entered the White House with confidence gained from her long and happy
married life, her knowledge of political circles, her intelligence and culture,
and her cheerful spirit. She enjoyed informal parties, and spared no effort to
make official entertaining attractive. Though she was a temperance advocate and
liquor was banned at the mansion during this administration, she was a very
popular hostess. She took criticism of her views in good humor (the famous
nickname "Lemonade Lucy" apparently came into use only after she had left the
mansion). She became one of the best-loved women to preside over the White
House, where the Hayeses celebrated their silver wedding anniversary in 1877,
and an admirer hailed her as representing "the new woman era."

The Hayes term ended in 1881, and the family home was now "Spiegel Grove," an
estate at Fremont, Ohio. There husband and wife spent eight active, contented
years together until her death in 1889. She was buried in Fremont, mourned by
her family and hosts of friends.