John Wesley Little, a renowned Pennsylvania artist, and the youngest child of John Polhemus Little and Martha Hallock Edkin, was born in 1867 near Forksville in Sullivan County, PA. John Polhemus was the sixth son of Theophilus Little, Jr., and Elizabeth Holmes and a twin to Josiah Little, a Civil War casualty. While John Wesley was still a young child, his father moved to Picture Rocks, PA and established a wood manufacturing business which produced ladders, bows for covered wagons, sleigh runners and other bent wood products. Best known as "Wesley" the young John was introduced to the world of labor when he worked in the commissary (employee lunch room) at the factory for which his father paid him the princely sum of 12 1/2 cents per hour.

By 1884, he had established an interest in art for he entered a pencil sketch for a dog titled "Old Rover" in a local contest. Encouraged by friends, he went to New York in 1888 and stayed with family friends while he studied at the The National Academy of Design. His formal education ended eight years later in 1896.

The next five summers were spent near Lewis Lake, Sullivan County, where Wesley taught budding artists at the Eaglesmere Chautauqua Association for $2.50 per week. During the winter, he painted watercolors from sketches he made at earlier dates. It was during this period that he met Dr. William C. Martin who was to later become his friend and mentor.

In 1899, at the invitation of Academy school chum Harry M. Walcott, he went to Paris and indulged in extensive travel on the continent, returning in time to teach the summer season at Eaglesmere. The rolling stone gathers no moss and he was soon 'discovered' by art buyers in Philadelphia and Williamsport. The notoriety, coupled with prosperity, enabled him to return to Paris the following year where he also traveled to Brussels and Venice. Returing home he met his future bride, Miss Susan Heim, at the Williamsport Railroad Station. They were married in December of the same year after a whirlwind courtship.

Wesley and his bride first lived in Fort Washington, PA **, which enabled him to join the Sketch Club and Water Color Club of Philadelphia, memberships he enjoyed the rest of his life. The following five years found Wesley showing his work at many prominent art exhibits from St. Louis to South America. He made one more trip to Europe and England before moving his family in 1905 to Picture Rocks. It is here that he remodeled an old barn into a studio.

** Editor's Note: In August 2007, Susan McReadie of Chester County, PA, reported an incredible discovery likely traceable to the period before 1905 when the artist lived in the Philadelphia environs. She found an old, damaged painting. Here is her story:

Their first home was a 50-acre farm where Wesley supported his artistic talents and family with income from farming. The farm was successful, and in 1911 he moved the family into a house in Picture Rocks proper, located on the corner of Center and Water Streets. There, encouraged by buyers, he continued to paint.

During this time, he was very active in his community, first forming a reading circle as there was no local library. He was instrumental in getting a road built and bridge across Muncy Creek to Ardenwood. He also served as Burgess (Mayor) of Picture Rocks at one time.

In 1915, he traveled extensively in California, exhibiting his work and winning a Silver Medal at the San Francisco Exhibition for work he had done in England ten years earlier. He then went to South Dakota under contract to a rancher to produce three paintings. He was paid $500 and train fare.

Wesley and Susan had three children who all graduated from Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA, due to in part to their father's talents. He paid for their tuition with paintings in lieu of cash. All had distinguished careers and went on to obtain the Master or Doctorate degrees in finance, statistics, and administration.

However, it is to their daughter Jean that the Little family owes much for her "dedicated perseverance in preserving our (Little) family history" as we know it today.

Unidentified Painting and Signature Line
by John Wesley Little
Recovered by Susan McReadle
Delivered to Nancy Little Spencer
Likely Painted Prior to 1905
Courtesy of Susan Mcreadie