George Tryon Harding

George Tryon Harding II (June 12, 1843 – November 19, 1928), known as Tryon Harding (often misspelled Tyron), was an American physician and businessman who is best known as the father of Warren G. Harding, the 29th President of the United States. He was the first presidential father to outlive his son, and the second presidential father (after Nathaniel Fillmore) to live through his son's presidency. In his biography of Warren G. Harding, Charles L. Mee describes Tryon Harding as "a small, idle, shiftless, impractical, lazy, daydreaming, catnapping fellow whose eye was always on the main chance".

Harding was born in Blooming Grove, Ohio, to Mary Anne (née Crawford) and Charles Alexander Harding. Both his parents were born in Pennsylvania to families, and he was named after his paternal grandfather, George Tryon Harding I. Harding was the third of ten children, out of whom only he and five sisters lived to adulthood. His father was a reasonably prosperous farmer, and was able to afford to send his son to school. Harding began his education at a private school run by his aunt, and then at the age of 14 progressed to Iberia College. He graduated in 1860 with a bachelor's degree, and then began teaching at a small school just outside of Mount Gilead, Ohio. Harding returned to school after a year, enrolling at the Ontario Academy.

In 1863, Harding enlisted in the Union Army as a fifer in the 96th Ohio Infantry. However, he caught pleurisy soon afterward, and received a medical discharge a few weeks later with ever having left the state. After a period of recuperation at his parents' home, Harding re-enlisted as a drummer. His unit shipped out to Virginia in May 1864, where he was stationed at Fort Williams. While on a furlough, he and two of his friends visited the White House in Washington, D.C., where they requested and received a meeting with President Abraham Lincoln. In August 1864, Harding was again taken ill, this time with typhoid fever. He received a second medical discharge two weeks later.

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