Page:The National Cyclopedia of the Colored Race (1919).djvu/24

 BISHOP JOHN WESLEY ALSTORK, D. D., LL. D.

ISHOP John Wesley Alstork was born in Talladega, Alabama, September 1st, 1852. From the date of his birth we gather that he was born early enough to see a little of Negro Slavery. But the Bishop was fortunate in the place of birth and in his parentage. Talladega is a conservative college town. It was one of the first places to be given colleges for the higher education of the Negro after the Civil War. Here in his own home town he had advantages of education that were denied to many men born in the same period. The advantage in parentage is seen from the fact that his father was a minister and was willing and anxious to see his son have better educational advantages than he himself had been able to enjoy. Bishop Alstork is the son of Rev. and Mrs. Frank Al stork, who were greatly loved and honored.

Bishop Alstork did not confine his studying to the courses laid down at Talladega. Livingston College, Salisbury, North Carolina, conferred D. D. upon him in 1892. The Degree of LL. D. was conferred upon him by the Princeton College in Indiana in 1908. Though born a slave, Bishop Alstork persevered in acquiring an education till he had thoroughly prepared himself for the work he had to do in life.

Bishop Alstork was married to Miss Mamie Lawson in 1872 when only twenty years of age. Mrs. Alstork has been a true helpmate to the Bishop and has helped in his development. Ten years after his marriage he was ordained in the A. M. E. Zion ministry. In 1884 he was elected Financial Secretary of the Alabama Conference This position he held till 1892. In 1892 he was elected Financial Secretary for the A. M. E. Zion Connection. In this position he served till 1900. His excellent management keeping the finances of the church in good condition.

Bishop Alstork had the usual gradual rise from the ministry to the position of Bishop. He served as a regular pastor from the time of his ordination to 1889. In that year he was made Presiding Elder and he served in this capacity till 1900 when he was elected Bishop. Many of the honors within the gift of his church have come to Bishop Alstork. He was Delegate to the Ecumenial Conference, which met in London, England, in 1901. He was sent as a delegate to the Conference in Toronto, Canada, in 1911.

Although Bishop Alstork is thoroughly interested in the church and in all the work of the church, he has still had time to show a great deal of interest in all the phases of education. He is a trustee of the Livingston College, of the Lomax-Hannon Industrial College. Indeed Bishop Alstork was the founder of the last named institution which is located at Greenville, Alabama. He is Trustee of Langridge Academy at Montgomery, Alabama and a Trustee of the Hale Infirmary also of Montgomery. Bishop Alstork is a member of the Federation of Churches, a member of the Southern Sociological Congress, Director of Loan and Investment Company, Montgomery, Alabama, member of the Board of Control of the Good Shepherd Society, Inspector of the General G. G. A. Order of Love and Charity, National Grand Master of F. A. A. York Masons Colored of the United States, Lieutenant Commander of the Supreme Council 33rd degree Masonry. In fact Bishop Alstork lives a very full and a very useful life.

Bishop Alstork has traveled over the whole of this country and extensively in foreign lands. He is a loyal citizen of his country. During this war he has been a faithful worker in all the war activities. His patriotism has been manifested in every war work campaign. He is a heavy purchaser of bonds, and a large contributor to Red Cross and Y. M. C. A. work. He owns a great deal of real estate and lives in his own beautiful home at 231 Cleveland Avenue, Montgomery, Alabama.