Melinda Ellen Halstead was born near Portsmouth, Ohio, on May 28, 1866, and died at Blair, Nebraska, at 2:40 P.M. August 17, 1928.

With her parents, she moved to Nebraska when she was about at the age of twelve. She was united in marriage to William Allen, Jan. 11, 1885, at Blair. To this union were born seven children. Three children preceded her in death. Her husband, Wm. Allen, four children and eighteen grandchildren, one sister, Mrs. Chas McManigal of Glenwood, Iowa and two brothers, Clem Halstead of Blair and George Halstead of Everett, Michigan, beside numerous relatives and friends, are left to mourn her departure. The living children are Leland and Howard of this city, Mrs. Earl Booth of Omaha and Mrs. Ernest Ladwig of Manilla, IA.

At the time of her decease, Mrs. Allen was sixty-two years, two months and nineteen days old. She was united with the Christian Church about forty-four years ago.

Burial was made from the Christian Church August 19, 1928, W. B. P Robb officiating.

The following was from The Pilot Blair, Nebraska, September 12, 1928

Mrs. Allen Passes Over

Died Last Friday Afternoon Following A Paralytic Stroke Suffered A Few Weeks Ago

Mrs. Wm. Allen passed away at 2:40 last Friday afternoon having failed gradually from a paralytic stroke she suffered a few weeks ago. She had made all plans for her funeral and her wishes were carried out by family.

A funeral service was held at the Christian Church at 2:30 Sunday afternoon, by Rev. W. B. F. Robb. There was a large crowd of relatives and friends in attendance. There were many beautiful floral offerings in her memory. Burial is in the Blair Cemetery.

Malinda Ellen Halstead was born near Portsmouth, Ohio, May 28, 1866, so was passed 62 years of age at the time of her death. She was married to William Allen in this city January 11, 1885, and seven children were born to them, three preceded her in death.

She is survived by her husband, four children; Leland and Howard of this city; Mrs. Earl Booth of Omaha; and Mrs. Ernest Ladwig of Manilla, Iowa. There are 18 grandchildren. She also leaves one sister, Mrs. Chas McManigal of Glenwood, Iowa, and two brothers, Clem Halstead of this city and George Halstead of Everett, Michigan.

Mrs. Allen was a member of the Christian Church having been baptized in this faith some 44 years ago. The bereaved family has the sincere sympathy of friends in their deep sorrow.

~~~Obituaries courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file at the Blair Public Library.~~~