(*Images
and Bio provided by Michael Butorac)
JA Wesco
(1855-1938)
On April
20, 1938, John Austin Wesco, originator of the Wesco System of Penmanship and
writing instructor in the Portland, Oregon, Public Schools, died. His pen is
silent forever, but his skillful work will remain with us as an inspiration.
Mr. Wesco was born in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, August 29, 1855. His early
life was spent on a farm hear Lovilla, Iowa, where he developed a rugged
constitution. Mr. Wesco received his training and early Inspiration from D. L.
Musselman of Ore Gem City Business College, G. A. Gaskell of Concord, New
Hampshire, and E. R. LiIlibridge of, Lincoln, Nebraska. Mr. Wesco taught
penmanship in Iowa, Lincoln, Nebraska, and Portland, Oregon. In Portland he was
connected with the Holmes Business College, The Portland Business College and the
Behnke-Walker Business College. In 1914 he was elected Supervisor of
Handwriting in the Portland Public Schools which position he held for many
years. Mr. Wesco engrossed many hundreds of resolutions and other jobs of pen
work with remarkable skill and speed. During his early years he became
interested in music and went from Portland, Ore., to Boston to study violin
making, in which work he became known as a Master. Violins were sent to him to
be repaired from Paris, Vienna, and other music centers. As a handwriting
expert he was widely known and handled hundreds of cases. Men of high standing
in the profession consider that his work ranks among the very finest.
