Nellie was born in Goodrich, Linn, KS, the only daughter of JAY WILBUR and EFFIE LINCOLN WILBUR. She moved with the family to Wichita, Sedgwick, KS, sometime before 1892.

The family moved to Micos, San Luis Potosí, Mexico in the early part of the 20th century. They came back to the states during the Mexican Revolution, but returned to Mexico, again, about 1921.

Nellie died at Micos in 1922, and is buried at the family ranch near the town of Puerta Espíritu Santos, in eastern San Luis Potosí, Mexico.