They lived in the Northern Great Plains. This is North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Minnesota.
George Washington did, in fact, have a political interest in Virginia. Prior to the US Capital being in Maryland, it was stationed in Virginia, close to Washington's home town.
I don't know if this is what you were asking but I hope it helped :/
ANSWER IS TRUE, HOPE THIS HELPS YOU.
The author is making a cultural allusion, therefore comparing the character to something in our present day culture. I hope this will guide you towards the right answer.
