Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 4.djvu/733

 VIRGINIA BIOGRAPHY

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iiig- the L"ni\ersity of X'irginia, hut the out- break of hostilities between the states com- pletely altered his plans. Although but fif- teen years of age he enlisted in the Han- over Dragoons, Gonfederate army, served with the engineers' corps stationed at Drewry's lUufT, and with that corps was en- gaged in the battle fought there. Later he entered the cavalry service, serving under General Fitzhugh Lee, until with the Army of Northern X'irginia he surrendered at Ap- pomattox Gourt House. After the surrender he returned home and was engaged in farm- ing there for ten years. He then removed to Danville, \'irginia, where he was a mer- chant for ten years, from 1882 to 1892, and in the latter year located in Richmond, where as a member of the firm of Gatlin, Tally & Davis, he engaged in the wholesale shoe business, continuing for five years. In 1897 ^^^ retired from mercantile life and founded a real estate business in which he was continuously engaged until his death. He was one of those w^ho w^as always in the forefront in developing the suburban terri- tory. Hard work and strict adherence to business principles soon brought him recog- nition and popularity, and at the time of his death he w^as considered one of the leading real estate men in his section of the state. He was a successful man of affairs and in no small degree contributed to the upbuild- ing of the business interests of Richmond. He was the first president of the Sectirity IJank of Richmond, which • institution was afteruard consolidated Avith the American National Bank.

His life began at an eventful period in the history of his state and while he, though only a boy, bore a man's part, he accepted the verdict of arms, and as a civilian con- tributed with all his might to the upbuild- mg of a new state, based en the principles he combatted as a soldier. As he became older he turned to things that were be- yond and outside of business, and as a mem- ber of the bo.ird of directors of the Laurel Reformatory he was active and earnest, and in the great w^ork and success of that in- stitution Mr. Gatlin's influence was ever a leading factor. Another cause wdiich ap- pealed strongly to him was the care of the old Gonfederate soldier, and to the Soldier's Home and to the various other Gonfederate veteran camps he devoted considerable of his time and means. Until his death he

was active and vigorous, jirosecuting his Inisiness with the energy of youth, and keen- ly interested in all kinds of outdoor sports, golf, football, baseball and kindred sports. He w-as a meniber of the Masonic order, be- longing to lodge, cha{)ter and commandery ; he was lieutenant commander of R. E. Lee Gamp, No. i, Lhiited Gonfederate Veterans, and majcjr and inspector-general on the stafif of the First Drigade, Virginia division. United Gonfederate Veterans. He was a communicant of the Second I'rcsbyterian Ghurch of Richmond. In political faith he was a lifelong Democrat; he believed in the doctrines of his party and as the years rolled by was more strongly confirmed in the faith. He was officially connected with the party for many years and his opinions car- ried weight in party councils.

Air. Gatlin married, x'\pril 18, 1874, wdiile a merchant in Danville, Virginia, Alice, daughter of Nathaniel Talley, of Glarks- burg, Mecklenburg county, Virginia, of French descent. The only child of the mar- riage is Bessie Allen, a well known artist of Richmond, A'irginia.

Mr. Gatlin died at his home. No. 1104 Grove avenue, Richmond, February 17,1915, after an illness of six weeks. Interment was in the Gatlin section of Hollywood Geme- tery. "In the death of Mr. Gatlin," said T. M. Garrington, former president of the Ghamber of Gommerce. "Richmond has lost a valued and esteemed citizen and his loss w^ill be felt bv many who knew and loved him."

John Warfield Johnston, jurist and sena- tor, only child of Dr. John Warfield John- ston and Louisa (Bowen) Johnston, and grandson of Peter Johnston, of Lee's Le- gion, was born in Abingdon. Virginia, Sep- tember 9, 1818. He received his early edu- cation at the Abingdon Academy and, hav- ing been prepared for college, at the age of fifteen he mounted his horse and alone and altogether unattended set off for the Uni- versity of South Garolina. A\niile at the University of South Garolina he was asso- ciated with such men as Judge Harper, Gal- houn and McDuffie. Graduating from the L^niversity of South Garolina, he returned to Virginia and entered the law school of the University of Virginia. Having com- pleted his law studies, Mr. Johnston settled at Jeffersonville, the county seat of Taze-