Biography contributed by Wendy Napier-Walker
Mrs Fargie was Margaret Muirhead McKenzie born on 17 October 1860, at Castlemaine, Victoria, Australia, the daughter of Christina Muirhead and Alexander McKenzie.
The family came to New Zealand circa 1865. Her parents married in Auckland in 1865, and later lived in Caversham, Dunedin.
On 11 February 1885 Margaret married Alexander McLaggan Fargie in Dunedin, New Zealand.
The 1890 electoral roll for Waitaki records Alexander and Margaret living in Queen street, Waimate. Alexander was a Railway Fireman.
Margaret signed the 1893 Women’s Suffrage Petition in Waimate.
By 1896 the Fargie family had moved to Whanganui and were living in Murray street, Aramoho. Alexander was an Engine Driver.
Margaret and Alexander had seven children.
Alexander died on 17 July 1911 in Whanganui as a result of injuries sustained in an accident at the Eastown Railway Workshop, and is buried in the Whanganui General cemetery.
Around 1914 Margaret was living in Cameron street, Aramoho.
Alexander’s Probate/Will records that he owned property at 21 Cameron street and 21 Murray street, Aramoho.
Margaret died on 31 March 1936 aged 76 years and is buried in the Aramoho cemetery, Whanganui, Plot 335 Monument area Block A, 6. At the time of her death she was living at 83 Glasgow street, Whanganui.
Margaret’s mother, Christina McKenzie and sister Jane McKenzie also signed the 1893 Women’s Suffrage Petition, Sheet 70.
Sources
NZ DIA Marriage Index 1865/4664 Christina Muirhead/Alexander McKenzie
NZ DIA Marriage Index 1885/840 Margaret McKenzie/Alexander McLaggan Fargie
Ancestry New Zealand Electoral Rolls
Manawatu Herald 18 July 1911, pg 2
NZ DIA Death Index 1911/6119 Alexander McLaggan Fargie
The Collections Archives NZ – Probate/Will Alexander McLaggan Fargie
NZ DIA Death Index 1936/17350 Margaret Fargie
Wanganui Chronicle 1 April 1936, pg 1
Ancestry Family Trees