Warren G. Harding - a native of Blooming Grove, Ohio, and 29th president of the United States - died in San Francisco on Aug. 2, 1923, age 57, after a brief illness. He was on a cross-country Voyage of Understanding to meet Americans and explain his policies.

Harding was the first sitting U.S. senator elected president.

Before that he was an Ohio state senator and lieutenant governor. He also was editor and publisher of the Marion Star.

As president 1921-23, Harding named Cincinnatian William Howard Taft, the 27th president, as chief justice. Some of his appointees were derided as the Ohio Gang.

Harding's presidency became embroiled in scandal due to the misdeeds of some, prompting him to exclaim: "My God, this is a hell of a job! I have no trouble with my enemies.... But my damn friends - they're the ones that keep me walking the floor nights."

State Fair history

The Ohio State Fair has been held in 10 cities: Cincinnati, Dayton, Zanesville, Newark, Sandusky, Toledo, Springfield, Mansfield, Cleveland and Columbus.

Rebecca Goodman

E-mail: rgoodman@enquirer.com or call (513) 768-8361.