Rodelphus was called "Dell" by his family. He graduated from Bowdoin College, had a long and successful career as a lawyer and judge, and served in the Colorado House of Representatives.

He was the son of John Gilmore and Eliza Otis of Leeds, Maine. His mother had been previously married to Roland Bailey Howard, and so Dell was a half brother of Generals Oliver. O. Howard and Charles H. Howard. Also by this first marriage there was a son Rodelphus Howard, who died shortly before his third birthday. Dell was named for his deceased half brother.

In 1866 Dell married Rosa Ellen Deane of Leeds, and couple took up residence in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Their children were Eliza Otis Gilmore, Ralph Gilmore and Deane Gilmore.

Rosa contracted tuberculosis. In 1876 the family returned to Leeds, Maine, for a visit, and while here she died. She is buried in a small graveyard near her father's home.

In 1878, Dell remarried to Mary Crandall of Almond, New York. Late in 1880 10-year-old Deane Gilmore died of diphtheria. His body was shipped by train to be buried in Maine with his mother.

Within weeks of Deane's death Dell relocated his family to Golden, Colorado. He moved there "for the health of his wife," suggesting that Mary too might have contracted tuberculosis. There in 1882 Ralph Gilmore, age 14, died from "a brief illness," according to a family diary. His body was also shipped back to Maine for burial. In the case of both sons, their grandfather Stephen Deane met the train when it arrived in Leeds.

Mary (Crandall) Gilmore died in Denver in 1884, her cause of death is unknown. She is buried in Almond, New York, with her family. So by this year, Dell had lost two sons and two wives, leaving just his daughter Eliza.

In 1885 Dell married a third time to Belle Wightman, and by this marriage had three children: Hugh, Faith and Roy Gilmore. All three reached maturity. Dell spent his later years living in Arizona.

This memorial page was created by a Leeds, Maine resident, and the current owner of the Deane family home. If you are a descendant of Rodelphus Gilmore and would like to share additional information, write to the email address attached to this memorial. We also have some photos that are likely of Mary and Belle, but we need help identifying them.