Hello Hal,
The electric would be easier on your fingers, and after you build some callouses on your fingers go the acoustic. You could also use both, it really depends on what you want to play.

I learned to play on acoustic, and goofed off on an electric for years. I really didn't start learning techniques on an electric until 96, before that I was always playing too hard on electric.

My tech says I'm really hard on my guitarsanyway, been working on a lighter touch when I pick the teles. Let us know what you want to learn, and we'll be glad to help any way we can.

JD