BIO: Harry L. JOHNSTON, Blair County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Denise Phillips Copyright 2006. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/blair/ _________________________________________ Donehoo, George P., Editor-in-Chief. Pennsylvania, A History, Vol. 3, Biography. New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Co., Inc., 1926, page 69. _________________________________________ HARRY L. JOHNSTON - Newspaper men are popular, for the fascination of the profession that originally acts upon them reacts upon the public, which sets them as a class apart, perhaps because they are supposed to be the sources of news, and thus interesting persons. Harry L. Johnston, of Altoona, is no exception to the rule. He was born in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, April 1, 1873, the son of William N. Johnston, born in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, who was engaged as a newspaper correspondent until his death in 1910, and Laura (Lang) Johnston, who was born in Blair County, Pennsylvania. Harry L. Johnston was educated in the public schools. Leaving school, he entered a printing office, starting as a "printer's devil" on the "Hollidaysburg Standard," where he remained for three years. When he left that publication he took a position as a typesetter on the "Altoona Times." Here he remained nine years, working in the composing room and the editorial department, and when he left he had become city editor. In 1900 he formed a connection with the "Altoona Mirror," in the capacity of a reporter. Such were his aptitudes that in a short time he was made city editor, a position he has held ever since. He is very popular in Altoona. Mr. Johnston is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is past president of the Altoona Rotary Club, a past president of the Chamber of Commerce, director and president of the Altoona Pennsylvania Railroad, a member of the Young Men's Christian Association, a member of Camp Dewey, United Spanish-American War Veterans, and a director in the Mirror Printing Company. He is active in politics, and is serving on the Altoona School Board, and has served several terms on the city Board of Health. In professional affiliations he is past president of the Pennsylvania State Editorial Association. Mr. Johnston enlisted in the Pennsylvania State vice-president of the Associated Dailies of Pennsylvania Guard in 1896, in Company C, Fifth Regiment, and was promoter to the rank of battalion sergeant-major. When he mustered into Federal service, in 1898, he became quartermaster sergeant of Company C. In July, 1898, he was appointed regimental sergeant-major, and he was discharged in October 1898, with this rank. Mr. Johnston is a member also of the executive committee of the Altoona Boy Scouts, and a member of the board of directors of the Blair County Tuberculosis Society. He attends the Baptist Church, of which he is secretary of the board of trustees and a teacher in the Sunday School. In 1899, Mr. Johnston married Annie C. Bunker, born in Altoona, Pennsylvania, and they have two children: Helen L., and Anna M.