San Joaquin County Biographies
Ref: Page 495
Transcribed by: Linda Diane Jackson 10/8/2009
HARRY W. BESSAC
When Harry W. Bessac was elected county superintendent of schools of San Joaquin County in 1922, a man was selected thoroughly qualified to fill the position with distinctive ability, whose heart is in the educational work before him. First of all, Mr. Bessac is an educator by training, bringing to the cause of education not only a well-trained mind, but a fund or practical knowledge backed by years of successful teaching. He was born at Dover, Wis., on July 29, 1876, and when a small boy was taken by his parents to the state of Washington, where he attended the public schools of Montesano; later, in 1889, when his parents removed to Los Angeles, Cal. he attended the grammar and high schools. Mr. Bessac then came to Stockton in 1897 for the purpose of taking a course in the Normal School and upon receiving a teacher's certificate, taught in Placer County for five years, when he became associated with the Western School of Commerce of Stockton. On September 1, 1902, this school was incorporated with the following officers: J.R. Humphreys, president; T.H. Wolfenbarger, vice-president; and Harry W. Bessac, secretary, and for the next ten years he was a successful instructor, officer and part owner of this institution. Mr. Bessac then became the principal of the Washington School of Stockton; later of the Jackson school, the largest grammar school in Stockton and on December 1, 1921, was appointed superintendent of rural schools of San Juaquin County, a position of responsibility, and because of his wide experience in all branches of educational work he is recognized as a leader, and a man in whom the public has every confidence. He is a member of the executive board of the Elementary Teacher's Association of Stockton.
The marriage of Mr. Bessac occured in Stockton and united him with Miss Nell Hurd, a native of Stockton and a descendant of a pioneer family. Her maternal grandfather, Dr. Kerr, crossed the plains in 1849 and opened the second drug store in Stockton and practiced medicine for many years. Mr. and Mrs. Bessac are the parents of three children: Marion R., Arthur H., and Francis B. Fraternally he is one of the leading Masons of the district; is past master of Morning Star Lodge No. 68; past high priest of Royal Arch Chapter No. 28; inspector of the twenty-sixth Masonic district, which includes six lodges as follows: Morning Star No. 68, San Joaquin No. 19, Delta No. 471, Stockton No. 498, Lodi No. 267, Valley Lodge of Linden No. 135. While inspector, Mr. Bessac organized two Masonic lodges in Stockton, Delta No. 471 and Stockton No. 498. He is also a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason. The Bessacs have been prominent in Masonic circles for two generations. His father, Henry W. Bessac, who resides at Riverbank, is a past master of his lodge, and a Mason of more than fifty years standing. In the spring of 1922, Mr. Bessac became a candidate for the office of county superintendent of schools in San Joaquin County, and was elected November 7, 1922, taking office January 8, 1923.
History of
SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY
CALIFORNIA
With A
Biographical Review
of
The Leading Men and Women of the County Who Have Been
Identified with Its Growth and Development
from the Early Days to the Present
HISTORY BY
George H. Tinkham
HISTORIC RECORD COMPANY
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
1923
San Joaquin County Biographies ~ Archive Biography Index ~ Archive Index
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