Marion Harding’s ‘History of Marion’ Class In an effort to ingrain in Marion Harding students a sense of pride and genuine respect for their hometown, lifelong Marion resident and Marion Harding educator, Brett McCrery developed the History of Marion class for the 2016-17 school year. During that first year, McCrery had 75 bright-eyed and bushy-tailed […]
People
Elsie Janis
World War I’s “Sweetheart of the American Expeditionary Force” was a Marion girl named Elsie Janis. A singing, cartwheeling vaudeville star, she toured France entertaining and bolstering the morale of the servicemen. And, Janis was no flash in the pan. She had a lengthy and illustrious career as a multi-talented songwriter, actress, dancer, and singer. […]
Florence Harding
Florence Kling Harding was a few steps ahead of the women of her time. Thanks to passage of the 19th Amendment allowing women to vote for president, Mrs. Harding proudly cast her first ballot in November 1920 – for her own husband. Born in Marion in 1860 to Amos and Louisa (Bouton) Kling, Florence was […]
Cheryl Huffman
Can you recall your favorite memory with Mrs. Huffman, the elementary school phys ed teacher? How about Coach Huffman, the Harding High track and field coach? Or possibly you have a favorite memory with Coach Huffman, the former Harding cheer coach? Cheryl Huffman, born and raised in Marion, attended Marion City Schools, later continuing her […]
Mary Ellen Withrow
March 1, 2019, marked 25 years since Marion native Mary Ellen Withrow was sworn in as the 40th Treasurer of the United States. She is the only person to have held the post of treasurer at all three levels of government–local, state, and national. Her career in public service began 50 years ago when she […]
Miss America Marilyn Meseke
In 1938, Marion entered the record books, becoming the first and only town in the United States—a record still true to this day—to boast both a U.S. President and a Miss America. While the story of Warren G. Harding is familiar to most in the Marion area, Marilyn Meseke’s rise to the pinnacle of beauty […]
