Virgie Belle Smith McFarland (1877 – January 24, 1971) was instrumental in establishing the first Aberdeen Women's Exchange in 1918.

Early life

Virgie Belle Smith McFarland was born in 1877 in

Keosauqua, Iowa Keosauqua ( ) is a city in Van Buren County, Iowa, United States. The population was 936 at the time of the 2020 census. It is the county seat of Van Buren County. History Keosauqua was laid out in 1839. The word Keosauqua derives from the Me ...

, the daughter of William Dixon Smith (1819-1911) and Ruth E. Maple (1839-1923).

Career

She was an educator and wrote articles and stories for eastern syndicate. She was instrumental in establishing the first Aberdeen Women's Exchange in 1918. She was chairman of the Playfield Commission. She was a member of the Harbor Civic Club, Sorosis Club and Writers Club.

Personal life

Virgie McFarland moved to Washington in 1888 and lived in

Aberdeen, Washington Aberdeen () is a city in Grays Harbor County, Washington, United States. The population was 17,013 at the 2020 census. The city is the economic center of Grays Harbor County, bordering the cities of Hoquiam and Cosmopolis. Aberdeen is occasi ...

. She married George Mcfarland (1870-1943) and had four children, Ruth Puphal, Frank, Virgil George McFarland (1902-1973), Elizabeth "Betty". She died on January 24, 1971, and is buried at Fern Hill Cemetery, also located in Aberdeen, Washington.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:McFarland, Virgie People from Keosauqua, Iowa 1877 births 1971 deaths