"I HAVE ONLY ONE HOBBY: MY HUSBAND"

MRS. HARDING DEAD: FORMER 1ST LADY DIES OF CHRONIC NEPHRITIS

Marion, Ohio (JFK+50) On November 21, 1924, the wife of the 29th POTUS, Mrs. Florence Kling Harding*, "died peacefully" at White Oaks Farm, a sanitarium** here in Marion where she had been living for several months.

Mrs. Harding, in poor health for some time, recently developed kidney problems.  The official cause of death was given as "chronic nephritis*** with myocarditis and hydronephorsia."

*Florence Mabel Kling-Harding (1860-1924) was born in Marion, Ohio & attended Cincinnati Observatory.  She married Warren G. Harding in 1891. 

The President called her 'The Duchess'.  They had no children. FKH served as 1st Lady 1921-1923.  She once said, "I have only one real hobby--my husband."

**sanitarium is a hospital specializing in treating chronic illness or providing a place for patients to recover.  "Sanitas" is Latin for health.

***chronic nephritis causes inflamation in kidney tissues resulting in difficulty in filtering waste from the blood.

 

 

 

Florence Harding

National Photo Company

Library of Congress

"MRS HARDING MIGHT MAKE WASHINGTON HER HOME"

FORMER FIRST LADY TO RETURN TO D.C. FOLLOWING MEMORIAL SERVICES IN MARION

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On September 29, 1923, The Evening Star reports the widow of the late President Warren G. Harding, Mrs. Florence Kling Harding*, will return to the Nation's Capital "soon after memorial services are held in Marion, Ohio on November 2."

The Star says that in letters to her friends, the former First Lady "has indicated that she might make Washington her home."

*Florence Mabel Kling Hading (1860-1924) was born in Marion, Ohio & was educated at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, 1877-1878.  Her plans to live in Washington after the President's death changed because of the return of a kidney ailment.  She lived in a cottage in Marion.

SOURCE

"Mrs. Harding May Come Here To Live," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., September 29, 1923, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

 

 

Florence Harding

1920

Library of Congress 

"FORMER 1ST LADY SAVING HER STRENGTH"

MRS. HARDING RESTING IN PREPARATION OF HUSBAND'S FUNERAL RITES

Cedar Rapids, Iowa (JFK+50) On August 6, 1923, Florence Harding, wife of the late President Warren G. Harding, "rested in her room in the private (funeral train) car, Superba" which also carries the body of her deceased husband.

According to the Associated Press, Mrs. Harding is attempting to "store up strength to carry her through the trying hours of the state funeral services in Washington" as well as those in Marion, Ohio preceding the burial.

JFK+50 NOTE

Florence Mabel Harding (1860-1924) was married first to Henry De Wolfe (1880).  They had one son, but divorced in 1886.  FMH married WGH, who was five years younger than she, in 1891.  As the "brains behind his newspaper business," Mrs. Harding was known as "The Duchess."

SOURCE

"Mrs. Harding Rests For Week's Ordeal," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., August 6, 1923, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/ 

 

 

Florence Harding

Library of Congress Photo

 

 

"MR. HARDING BENEFITED FROM THE AIR & EXERCISE"

PRESIDENT ENJOYS ROUND OF GOLF AS FIRST LADY'S CONDITION IMPROVES

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On September 18, 1922, President Warren G. Harding played golf "for the first time" since the First Lady's "illness assumed critical proportions."

With Mrs. Florence Harding's continuing improvement, the family doctor advised the President "to indulge in a four-some of golf."

When he returned to the Executive Mansion, the President was observed to have benefited from "the air and the exercise."

According to The Original Golf Blogger, Harding was an "avid golfer" who sometimes spent his time on the links rather than administering government business at the White House.  He took golf trips to Florida and New Hampshire during his short term of office.

SOURCES

"President Plays Golf First Time In Ten Days," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., September 18, 1922, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/ 

"President Warren G. Harding, Golfer," by The Original Golf Blogger, August 5, 2020, www.golfblogger.com/ 

 

 

 Golf Ball

Photo by Lotus Head

www.wikimedia.org/ 

"NEWS CAME LIKE A THUNDERBOLT FROM A CLEAR SKY"

RUMORS SWIRL IN MARION CONCERNING FIRST LADY'S CONDITION

Marion, Ohio (JFK+50) On September 10, 1922, the Evening Star reports "news of Mrs. (Warren G.) Harding's* critical condition at the White House came like a thunderbolt from a clear sky."

All day long on September 9th rumors "persistently circulated" around Marion that the First Lady had died.

The "news" was so bad, Dr. George T. Harding, the President's father, made frequent trips from his office in the Star Building to the city news room "to learn the latest from Washington."

JFK+50 Note

According to Star articles published on September 10 & 11, 1922, Mrs. Harding had been in critical condition for several days although there was no specific information given on the nature of her illness.

The report on the 11th indicates Mrs. Harding's condition was improved, her complications subsided and an operation that had been considered was now "deferred."

Another source says that Mrs. Harding was suffering from a serious kidney ailment and a bout with sepsis. Dr. Charles Mayo, visiting her at the White House, recommended surgery as the only hope.  She and her own doctor disagreed. Florence Harding later referred to her illness as a "near-death experience."

*Florence Mabel Harding (1860-1924) was born in Marion, Ohio & studied piano at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music.  A failed first marriage preceded her marriage to Warren G. Harding in 1891.  As 1st Lady she gave elegant parties & enjoyed popularity with the public.  

SOURCES

"Mrs. Harding's Illness Is Shock To Marion," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., September 10, 1922, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

"Defer Operation As Mrs. Harding Regains Strength," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., September 11, 1922, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

 

 

Mrs. Warren G. Harding

Cover NY Daily News

Feb 5 1921

Photo by Edward N. Jackson

"MRS HARDING HOST TO 1ST ALL-WOMEN'S EXPO"

TENNIS EXHIBITION AT THE HARDING WHITE HOUSE

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On May 6, 1921, an exhibition tennis match was held on the grounds of the White House.  Murals Your Way is offering an "Art by Panorama" image taken at the event at a reduced price of $210.94.

Avery Shackelford writes...

"President Warren G. Harding was known to watch tennis matches between the nation's top players at the White House courts alongside his wife Florence."

It was Mrs. Harding, however, who was host to the first all-women's tennis exhibition at the White House.

SOURCES

"Exhibition Match At The White House, May 6, 1921 Wall Mural," Murals Your Way, www.muralsyourway.com/

"Tennis, the Presidential Sport," by Avery Shackelford, February 16, 2015, www.blog.mytennislessons.com/ 

 

President Harding with Tennis Players

The White House (1923)

Library of Congress Photo

 

 

Exhibition Match at the White House

May 6 1921

www.muralsyourway.com/
 

"THEY'LL BE NO SHEEP ON THE WHITE HOUSE LAWN"*

NEW FIRST LADY WANTS GATES OPEN ALL THE TIME

Marion, Ohio (JFK+50) On November 6, 1920, the Washington Herald published a brief front page story about the President-elect's wife.  The Herald stated...

"Mrs. Warren G. Harding** is already laying her plans for running the White House."

The First Lady to be was quoted as telling a group of newsmen in the front yard of her home here in Marion...

"There are two things I'm going to insist on.  I won't have any policemen at the White House gates and they'll be no sheep on the White House lawn."

She also insisted that during her stewardship as First Lady, the gates to the Executive Mansion would be open "all the time to anybody who wants to come in."

The Herald cautioned readers that Mrs. Harding's remarks were made "in a humorous vein."

*According to the White House Historical Association, during WWI sheep grazed on the White House lawn to save manpower required to mow the lawns.

**Florence Mabel Harding (1860-1924) was born in Marion, Ohio to a prominent accountant & businessman.  She studied at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music & married at age 19.  Florence divorced her 1st husband in 1886 & married Warren Harding, owner of the Marion Star,  in 1891.  FMH was 1st Lady 1921-1923.

 

SOURCE

"White House Gates Open When She's '1st Lady'", The Washington Herald, November 6, 1920, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/ 

 

 

 

Florence Harding

Library of Congress Photo (1920)