Harding first came to know Florence Kling, five years older than he, as the daughter of a local banker and developer. Amos Kling was a man accustomed to getting his way, but Harding attacked him relentlessly in the paper. Amos involved Florence in all his affairs, taking her to work from the time she could walk. As hard-headed as her father, Florence came into conflict with him after returning from music college. After she eloped with Pete deWolfe, and returned to Marion without deWolfe and with an infant called Marshall, Amos agreed to raise the boy, but would not support Florence, who made a living as a piano teacher. One of her students was Harding's sister Charity. By 1886, Florence Kling had obtained a divorce, and she and Harding were courting, though who was pursuing whom is uncertain.
harding first came to know florence kling five years older than he as the daughter of a local banker and developer amos kling was a man accustomed to getting his way but harding attacked him relentlessly in the paper amos involved florence in all his affairs taking her to work from the time she could walk as hard-headed as her father florence came into conflict with him after returning from music college after she eloped with pete dewolfe and returned to marion without dewolfe and with an infant called marshall amos agreed to raise the boy but would not support florence who made a living as a piano teacher one of her students was harding's sister charity by 1886 florence kling had obtained a divorce and she and harding were courting though who was pursuing whom is uncertain