J. Leroy GILLET
Rhoda P. ROOD
Melinda M. BEARDSLEY

Husband:  J. Leroy GILLET
Birth:  15 Apr 1822, Cortland, Cortland Co., New York 
Death:  28 Feb 1899, Cortland, Cortland Co., New York
Burial:
Father:  Nathan GILLET
Mother:  Lucinda HORTON

Marriage-1:    28 Jan 1851, Cortland Co., New York

Wife-1:  Rhoda P. ROOD
Birth:   1827, Plainfield, Otsego Co., New York
Death:  5 Mar 1867, Cortland, Cortland Co., New York  
Burial:  
Father:  Ezra ROOD  
Mother:  Demaris POTTER

Marriage-2:     27 May 1867, Cortland Co., New York

Wife-2:  Melinda M. BEARDSLEY
Birth:   Aug 1835, Lansing, Tompkins Co., New York
Death:  Aft 1900, Cortland, Cortland Co., New York
Burial:  
Father:  John M. BEARDSLEY  
Mother:  Catherine WAGNER 

Children - Marriage-1:
1. Edward Lucien GILLET, b: 5 Mar 1854, Cortland, Cortland Co., New York
                                           d: 14 May 1861, Cortland, Cortland Co., New York
2. Llewellyn Leroy GILLET, b: 1 Jun 1856, Cortland, Cortland Co., New York
3. Mary L. GILLET, b: 2 Jun 1858, Cortland, Cortland Co., New York
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Notes:
Biography: J. Leroy Gillet:

This gentleman, who is not only well and favorably known in his own locality as a first-class agriculturist, but also in adjoining counties, is one of Cortland County's oldest, most active and most respected farmers.  He was born on the farm he now owns and upon which he lives, April 15, 1822, and is therefore over seventy-six years old at this writing.  His activity and the interest he evinces in all the town affairs come little short of being wonderful.  He is a son of Nathan and Lucinda (Horton) Gillet, and a grandson on Nathaniel Gillet, who was a farmer and passed his days in Columbia County, N.Y., where his son Nathan was born.

Our subject received his education in the district schools, and during his boyhood years willingly gave his labor and time to his father in assisting in the farm work and in making lime.  After his parents' deaths, he bought the homestead from the other heirs, and in all these succeeding years has taken every opportunity of improving and beautifying the surroundings.  He keeps a choice dairy of milk cows, and also gives some little time and attention to the raising of sheep.  In short, his farming is diversified in its character, and follows the most practical and sensible lines.  He is acknowledged to own one of the choicest farms in the county.

He carried on the manufacture of lime some ten years, but now has completely discontinued work in that direction.  He has respected his father's wishes in the matter of keeping the grove in first-class condition .  The place has become so popular a location for picnics and summer outings that in 1894, he was induced to build a small summer cottage for rent, and to supply the demand he has kept on adding until there are now six cottages, each furnished with awnings.  He has made improvements on similar lines in other quarters of the grove, putting up an eating pavilion, swings, seats, etc.  He has built a dock in the lake, and has some fine boats, which are much used by the followers of Izaak Walton, whose particular pastime is catching fish, that plentifully stock the little lake.  This grove, whose development into a popular summer resort so natural and unrestrained, has been names, the name appearing on the sign surmounting the large entrance, "Elysium Park" signifying a delightful place.  The grove overlooks the lake while in the background on the farther shore is the line of the railway of the Lehigh Valley R.R.

Mr. Gillet married Rhoda P. Rood, daughter of Ezra and Demaris (Porter) Rood of South Cortland, and three children were born to them, as follows:  Edward Leroy, who died at the age of seven, Lewellyn, a mechanic of Cortland, and Mary L., who married D. L. Beardsley, and resides with our subject.  Mrs. Gillet died March 5, 1867.  Mr. Gillet formed a second matrimonial alliance, uniting with Melinda Beardsley, daughter of John N. Beardsley of Tompkins County, N.Y.; no children have blessed this union.  Mr. Gillet is a Prohibitionist in his politics and a Baptist in respect to his religious views and membership.  He is a great temperance worker, and is much esteemed among his fellow townsmen.

1860 Federal Census Data (M653_0739, Page 329), Cortlandville, Cortland Co., New York,
                                                                                                                        Enumeration Date: 19-Jun-1860, Family #170

1870 Federal Census Data (M593_0922, Page 631B), Cortlandville, Cortland Co., New York,
                                                                                                                          Enumeration Date: 6-Jun-1870, Family #16

1880 Federal Census Data (T9_0822, Page 56C), Cortlandville, Cortland Co., New York,
                                                                                Enumeration Dist: 119, Enumeration Date: 4-Jun-1880, Family #438

By 1900, Melinda was living with her brother, Doctor, who was married to her step-daughter Mary.
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Sources:
1) Biography:  Book of Biographies - Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens of Cortland County, NY;
                          Biographical Publishing Co., Buffalo, NY - 1898; Pages 347-349