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History of the Mohawk Valley: Gateway to the West 1614-1925
Allen Wheelock Johnston

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[This information is from Vol. IV, pp. 7-8 of History of the Mohawk Valley: Gateway to the West 1614-1925, edited by Nelson Greene (Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1925). It is in the Reference collection of the Schenectady County Public Library at R 974.7 G81h. This online edition includes lists of portraits, maps and illustrations. As noted by Paul Keesler in his article, "The Much Maligned Mr. Greene," some information in this book has been superseded by later research or was provided incorrectly by local sources.]

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Allen Wheelock Johnston, long and actively identified with financial interests in the Mohawk valley, has served as treasurer of the Schenectady Savings Bank of Schenectady during the past three decades and is now executive vice president and secretary. He was born at Palatine Bridge, Montgomery county, New York, on the 9th of October, 1847, his parents being George G. and Atlante (Allen) Johnston, the former a native of Stratford, Connecticut, and the latter of Townshend, Vermont. George G. Johnston was but a boy when in 1816 he accompanied his parents on their removal to Schenectady county (Glenville), then to Montgomery county, New York. He operated a foundry at Palatine Bridge for many years and for eighteen years filled the office of justice of the peace. He passed away in 1872 and for more than two decades was survived by his wife, whose demise occurred in 1893.

Allen Wheelock Johnston acquired his education in the public schools of his native town and in Canajoharie Academy. In 1865, under President Lincoln's last call, he enlisted with the One Hundred and Ninety-second New York Infantry, which regiment was stationed on Hart Island and was disbanded by order of General Dix at the cessation of hostilities between the north and the south. During the succeeding two years he acted as ticket agent and telegraph operator in the service of the New York Central Railway at Palatine Bridge and subsequently spent five years as teller in the National Spraker Bank at Canajoharie. He was next connected with the Mechanics and Farmers Bank of Albany for one year and then operated his father's foundry for two years, on the expiration of which period he became deputy county clerk of Montgomery county under his brother, William N. Johnston, thus serving for six years. Throughout the following decade he was employed as bookkeeper in the Canajoharie National Bank, after which he spent two years in the New York state banking department. On the 4th of June, 1894, he became treasurer of the Schenectady Savings Bank and at the present time is executive vice president and secretary. His comprehensive understanding of the problems of finance have contributed materially to the steady growth and success of this strong moneyed institution. The total assets of the Schenectady Savings Bank, which was chartered in 1834, are twenty million, three hundred and thirty-two thousand, five hundred and forty-nine dollars and forty-eight cents. Its officers are as follows: Everett Smith, president; William L. Pearson, first vice president; Lewis A. Skinner, second vice president: Allen W. Johnston, executive vice president and secretary, and Mills Ten Eyck, treasurer.

Mr. Johnston owns and operates a tract of land comprising seventy-five acres on Rosendale road, four miles south of Schenectady, where he resides. For a time he devoted his attention to the raising of pure bred Jersey cattle. During the period of world conflict he served as chairman of the war savings committee for Schenectady county. He is a member of Horsfall Post of the Grand Army of the Republic, is trustee of his congressional district for the Anti-Saloon League and also belongs to the Schenectady County Historical Society. He holds membership in the Second Reformed church and is a teacher in its Sunday school. Mr. Johnston was one of the original members of the Christian Endeavor Society at Canajoharie, one of the earliest societies in the state, and for many years acted as chairman of the board of trustees of the Schenectady Young Men's Christian Association. He is now treasurer and trustee of the Schenectady City Mission. His political support is given to the democratic party. His life is exemplary in all respects and he has ever supported those interests which are calculated to uplift and benefit humanity, while his own high moral worth is deserving of the greatest commendation.

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