Florence Kling De Wolfe Harding
1921-1923

Florence Mabel Kling was born in Marion, Ohio on August 15, 1860.
Her father, Amos King was a banker and was the richest man in Marion at that time.

Florence studied music at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music.

At 19 she eloped with Henry De Wolfe. Henry later deserted her and their baby. Florence taught piano lessons to earn money.

She didn't have any money so she gave her son, Marshall, to her parents to raise for her.

Library of Congress

In 1890, she met Warren Harding who owned the newspaper in Marion. Florence help him run the newspaper.

In 1914, Harding was elected to the US Senate and the Harding's move to Washington.

Harding won the election for President in 1920 by a large margin. Florence took credit for his presidential campaign.

During her time as First Lady she suffered from a kidney ailment.

The Harding Administration was popular but suffered from corruption.

On a trip to the west coast of Alaska, Harding suffered a heart attack and died on August 2, 1923.

Florence moved back to Marion and died of kidney disease on November 21, 1924. She is buried next to President Harding in Marion, Ohio.

Visit our site on U.S. Presidents

Books and Websites

Books

Smithsonian Presidents and First Ladiesby James Barber and Amy Pastan.
First Ladies: Women Who Called The White House Home (First Ladies) by Beatrice Gormeley.

Websites

http://www.firstladies.org/ National First Ladies Library
http://www.loc.gov/rr/print/list/058_flal.htmlLibrary of Congress, Images of the First Ladies

Comments and/or corrections should be sent to Jim at jim@anewadventure.org.