When Nellie Bly Allison was born on 15 September 1867, in Twin Grove, McLean, Illinois, United States, her father, Benjamin Felix Allison, was 22 and her mother, Martha Johnson, was 18. She married Job Calvin Wilkins on 5 September 1889, in Money Creek Township, McLean, Illinois, United States. They were the parents of at least 1 son and 5 daughters. She lived in Rural, Waupaca, Wisconsin, United States in 1935 and Lost River Magisterial District, Hardy, West Virginia, United States in 1940. She died on 6 June 1955, in Strasburg, Shenandoah, Virginia, United States, at the age of 87, and was buried in Salem Mennonite Church Cemetery, Baker, Hardy, West Virginia, United States.