Mrs. Harding
Florence met "Wurr'n" -- as she pronounced his first name -- in 1890. Harding was the young publisher of the town's only daily newspaper, the Marion Daily Star (now the Marion Star); they soon became engaged. Her father, Amos Kling, was displeased with her choice. He even accosted his future son-in-law on the street, calling him names and threatening his life if he did not leave his daughter alone.
Warren Harding, aged 25, married Florence Harding, aged 30, at his home in Marion, Ohio, on July 8, 1891. The couple did not have children of their own; however, Florence's son lived with them from time to time. The young man idolized his stepfather, and hoped to become a newspaperman himself one day.
The marriage was less than happy. Harding neglected his wife and sought refuge from her demands in the camaraderie of his friends and with other women. But her martial demeanor and managerial skills helped him build his newspaper into a financial success.
As circulation manager of the Marion Star for 14 years, Florence saw that the paper was distributed efficiently and subscriptions were paid up. "Mrs. Harding in those days ran the show," recalled one of her newsboys, Norman Thomas, later the Socialist presidential candidate. "Her husband was the front,...it was she who was the real driving power in the success that the Marion Star was unquestionably making its community."
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