Rutherford B. Hayes is today best remembered for serving his one term as President of the United States (1877 to 1881). But how did he become the person who was elected in 1876? This classic biography, first published in late 1876 (before the election) shows where Rutherford Hayes came from, how he grew to be the man he became, and how the politician evolved, from his school, law, and military careers, to his time in Congress, his three terms as governor of Ohio, and then his nomination to the Presidency.

Historian J.Q. Howard drew liberally from Hayes' public documents and...