Malinda Mills, daughter of John and Martha Larkin, was born at Sand Lake, Rensselaer Co., N. Y., January 27, 1817, and died at Welton, Iowa, May 15, 1911, aged 94 years, 3 months and 18 days.
June 23, 1833 [June 21, 1835], she was united in marriage with Varnum Hull, at Alden, Erie Co., N. Y., by Elder Daniel Babcock. For a little more than fifty years, most of which time was spent by her husband in active ministerial labor, she was a faithful companion, doing efficient service, not only in the home life, but also in the religious and social sphere of the calling of a pastor. To them were born six children, two of whom, Calvin of Milton Junction, Wis., and Mrs. Jennie C. Mudge of Welton, Iowa, survive.
In 1886 she was married to Samuel Mills, father of Rev. O. S. Mills of Milton Junction, Wis. Mr. Mills died in 1899, since which time she has had her home in the family of her son-in-law, Mr. M. C. Mudge. She retained her physical powers to a remarkable degree, but for several years her mind has been in a condition which made her a great care. She seemed to have an almost constant illusion that she ought to go home and help her father; and unless closely guarded she would slip away. This caused constant anxiety to those who cared for her.
In early life she confessed faith in the Saviour and lived a devout and consistent Christian life. She was a woman of strong faith and was gifted in prayer. She would converse intelligently on religious themes after the mind had dulled on other subjects. For more than thirty years she lived at Welton - first, when her first husband was pastor of the Welton Church, then during her second marriage, and after the death of her second husband. She was a member of the Welton Church.
Funeral services were conducted by her pastor, on May 17. The body was taken to Milton Junction, Wis., and interred beside that of her first husband. G. W. B.
