 After leaving the Army , Forbes engaged in construction work in the Pacific Northwest , moving to Seattle . He became active for the first time in state politics . He got married in Seattle to his wife Katherine and started a family having one daughter , Marcia . In 1912 , Forbes and family moved to Hawaii , at that time a United States territory , and worked at the Pearl Harbor naval station as an engineer for the next five years . While in Hawaii , he served in four federal government appointments as Commissioner of Public Works , Chairman of the Public Service Commission , Chairman of the Harbor Commission and chairman of the Reclamation Commission appointed by President Woodrow Wilson . During this time in Hawaii , Forbes became acquainted with then Senator Warren G. Harding , who was on vacation with his wife at the time , a meeting that would eventually change both of their lives . His charismatic personality and hospitality created a positive impression with Harding , and soon the two became good friends . Forbes ' wife became a close friend of Mrs. Harding . 
