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First Lady of the United States, 1921-1923 |
| Florence Kling was born in Marion in 1860.
She was the daughter of a prominent businessman and learned the ways of
the business world from her father.
After a failed first marriage, Florence married Warren Harding in 1891. At the time, Harding was owner and editor of the Marion Star, the local Republican newspaper. Mrs. Harding used her business abilities to make the Star a financial success. Florence Harding encouraged her husband's political ambitions and ably assisted in his campaigns. It has been suggested that she was the first modern First Lady, using her position to support and encourge veterans and promote humane treatment of animals. |
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| The First Lady visits a veterans' hospital. Mrs. Harding took a special interest in "her boys," the veterans of World War I. |
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| Air travel was a daring enterprise in the 1920s. Mrs. Harding prepares to fly at the Panama Canal. |