Webb Hayes James Webb Cook Hayes ( March 20 , 1856 – July 26 , 1934 ) was an American businessman and soldier . He co - founded a forerunner of Union Carbide , fought in two wars , and received the Medal of Honor . Early years and family . Born as James Webb Cook Hayes , he was the second son of President Rutherford B . Hayes and Lucy Webb Hayes . Starting from when he was five years old , he spent six months every winter at his father ' s encampment , which was usually Camp White , West Virginia . He became very close with the commander of the unit , General George Crook , who later became his godfather . Crook also taught him how to live off the land including hunting , fishing and survival . Years later , after Crook became famous in the west as a hunter and Indian fighter , the two made annual trips into the Rocky Mountains for a hunt of big game . Hayes attended Cornell University from 1873 to 1875 and was a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon . He left Cornell to work as his father ' s secretary when his father was the governor of Ohio . When his father was elected president , he again served as his father ' s secretary . In 1881 , Hayes moved to Cleveland to work as the treasurer of the Whipple Manufacturing Company . In 1887 , he , with three others , founded the National Carbon Company , which is now known as Union Carbide . Hayes stayed with this company for many years as the vice president . He was the principal proponent for founding the Rutherford B . Hayes Presidential Center , the first presidential library . Hayes died on July 26 , 1934 in Cincinnati , Ohio and was buried at the Rutherford B . Hayes Home , Spiegel Grove , in Fremont , Ohio . Military service . He also served in the military . He was a member of the First Cleveland Troop , later known as Troop A of the Ohio National Guard . During the Spanish American War , he was appointed a major in the First Ohio Cavalry . He fought in Santiago de Cuba Campaign , during which he was wounded during the crossing of the San Juan River and the assault on San Juan Hill , and later in the invasion of Puerto Rico . Following this , he was promoted to lieutenant colonel and sent to the Philippines . Just hours after landing there , he led a rescue party to free captured men at Vigan Island . He received the Medal of Honor for this action . He went on to participate in the China Relief Expedition during the Boxer Rebellion and as an observer in the Russo - Japanese War . During World War I , Hayes was promoted to colonel and first served as a special agent for the State Department in France and later held an administrative assignment on the Italian front . After the war he was promoted to brigadier general Medal of Honor citation . Rank and organization : Lieutenant Colonel , 31st Infantry , U . S . Volunteers . Place and date : At Vigan , Luzon , Philippine Islands , December 4 , 1899 . Entered service at : Fremont , Ohio . Born : March 20 , 1856 , Cincinnati , Ohio . Date of issue : December 17 , 1902 . Citation : Pushed through the enemy ' s lines alone , during the night , from the beach to the beleaguered force at Vigan , and returned the following morning to report the condition of affairs to the Navy and secure assistance .