Fellow researchers, I thought you might enjoy excerpts from "A Souvenir History of the Christian Church of Cynthiana," by W. S. Cason, Lily Webster, Maude Smith, and Bettie M. Cromwell. The pamphlet was printed in 1901 by Jennings and Pye, Cincinnati, Ohio. p. 38 JOHN ALLEN GANO. MORE than two hundred years ago-perhaps in 1685--when Roman intolerance drove the Huguenots from France, Francis Gano, a French Protestant, fled from his native country, to find a home in a strange land, settling with his family in Rochelle, New York. From this ancestry sprang the subject of the present sketch, John A. Gano, who was born at Georgetown, Ky., July 14, 1865 His parents died before he reached the age of ten, leaving him to the care of an uncle, William Hubble, an old Indian fighter of early Kentucky days. Most of his education was received at Georgetown, Barton Stone being one of his instructors. When he left school he turned his attention to the study of law, and was admitted to practice. As he manifested some talent as an orator, his future looked bright and promising. In 1826, Mr. Gano was married to Mary Conn, of Centerville, Ky. Nine children were born to them, three of whom died in infancy. Six lived to maturity, to wit: William, Richard, Fannie, Franklin, John Allen, Jr., and Mary. Only two are living now-Richard, who is a preacher of the gospel, and John Allen. In his youth, Mr. Gano was quick-tempered (p. 39) and impulsive, and rather inclined to be worldly. His early training was in the Baptist Church, but he showed little interest in religion and Church affairs till a short time before his marriage with Miss Conn. While visiting the young lady he had an opportunity of hearing Barton Stone and Thomas Allen preach at some of the neighboring churches. Their forcible presentation of the gospel truths impressed him greatly, and a terrible struggle commenced within him between the flesh and the spirit. After some months of indecision, however, he made a profession of his faith in Christ, at Old Union Church, and was baptized by Mr. Allen at Georgetown. Immediately after his conversion he took up the sword of the Spirit, and began proclaiming Christ's salvation to the world, laboring faithfully till the end of his life, How well he did the work, thousands can bear testimony. A Baptist minister once said that Mr. Gano had converted more people, made more peace among the people in his field of labor, and had done more to shape the religious views of the people of Central Kentucky than any other five ministers in the State. He seemed to possess a remarkable power over the hearts of the people, being eloquent, clear, convincing, and winning. As Walter Scott expressed it, "He could bring the house to tears sooner than any man I have ever known." (p. 40) In his early ministry, Mr. Gano labored much for the Church at Cynthiana, being regular pastor there in 1846 and 1847, and holding several protracted meetings at different times afterward. In one meeting, when enthusiasm seemed to be at ebb tide, he was called in to help stir up the people, with the result that in a short time more than forty souls were brought into the kingdom. It seems that his whole life was one unceasing round of service to Christ; at home, abroad, and everywhere he went, his Christian influence was felt. His death was such as might be expected from such a life. On the morning of October 14, 1887, while his family was gathered around his bed, he passed from their midst, with a happy smile on his face, as though heaven had already opened to him its glories. " Yea," saith the Spirit, " that they may rest from their labors, and their works do follow them." -- Bob Francis 1920A Butner St. Ft. Eustis, VA 23604 My Homepage is: http://www.shawhan.com Ruddell's Fort Page: http://www.shawhan.com/ruddlesfort.html Early Bourbon County Families Page: http://www.shawhan.com/bourbonfamilies.html