"A HISTORY OF THE DAVIESS-McLEAN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION IN KENTUCKY, 
1844-1943" by Wendell H. Rone.  Probably published in 1944 by 
Messenger Job Printing Co., Inc., Owensboro, Kentucky, p. 318.  
Used by permission.  [Hardin]

JOHN SAMUEL GATTON:  This distinguished man and faithful minister of 
the Gospel was born in Spencer County, Kentucky, March 14, 1844.  His 
parents were Roman Catholics and he was brought up in that faith.  
After his parents moved to Muhlenberg County he was converted and 
baptized into the fellowship of the South Carrollton Baptist Church by 
the sainted Elder J. M. Peay.  This important event occurred in his 
twenty-first year.  This church licensed him to preach in February, 
1866.  He also served as a messenger from this church to the Daviess 
County Association from 1862 to 1868.
     In preparation for the ministry to which he felt called of God, he 
spent four years at Bethel College in Russellville, and on May 29, 
1869, he was ordained at the Russellville Church by Elders W. W. 
Gardner, W. G. Inman, A. D. Sears, G. W. Featherstone, and O. H. 
Morrow.  Daviess County Association had assisted him in attending 
college, along with his friend, F. P. M. Sharp.  He became pastor of 
the historic Severn's Valley Baptist Church at Elizabethtown in July, 
1869, and remained ten years with the saints in that place.  His other 
pastorates were at Taylorsville, Eminence, Campbellsville, Smithfield 
in Henry County, Dallasburg in Owen County, Salem, Finchville, and 
Simpsonville in Shelby County.  At the time of his death he was pastor 
at Barren Run in LaRue County, East Rhudes Creek in Hardin County, and 
South Carrollton in Muhlenberg County.  He often prayed that he might 
die in the harness and God graciously answered his prayer and 
permitted him to retain his faculties to the end.  His last sermon was 
preached at South Carrollton in June, 1924, the church where he was 
converted sixty years before.
     Brother Gatton was an evangelist of note and held over 200 
revival meetings and witnessed over 2,000 additions and conversions to 
the churches.  His passion for souls was manifested in his preaching 
and the Lord blessed his labors in a remarkable way.
	His death occurred on June 28, 1924.  He was married to Miss Amy 
Smallwood of Elizabethtown, Kentucky, in August, 1870.  To her he 
attributed much of his success as a minister.  Six children were born 
to this union.  Among them are Harry and Harper Gatton of the 
Madisonville Public Schools.  His body was laid to rest in the 
cemetery in Elizabethtown.

Gatton Peay Gardner Inman Sears Featherstone Morrow Sharp Smallwood
=
Spencer Muhlenberg Russelville-Logan Henry Owen Shelby LaRue
Madisonville-Hopkins

http://www.rootsweb.com/~kygenweb/kybiog/hardin/gatton.js.txt