Jesse Cornplanter
Jesse J. Cornplanter (September 16, 1889 – March 18, 1957) was an actor, artist, author, craftsman, Seneca Faithkeeper and World War I decorated veteran.[1] He was the last male descendant of Cornplanter. He wrote books about the Iroquois and Seneca life. He wrote and illustrated Legends of the Longhouse (1938). He was the first Native American with a major role in a movie called Hiawatha.
Jesse Cornplanter | |
|---|---|
 Jesse Cornplanter making a ceremonial mask, Tonawanda Community House, Tonawanda, New York. Photographed in 1940. | |
| Born | Hayonhwonhish September 16, 1889 Cattaraugus Reservation, NY |
| Died | March 18, 1957 (aged 67) Genesee, NY |
| Occupation | Actor, Author, Artist, Craftsman, Keeper of Seneca Culture |
| Citizenship | American |
| Subject | Seneca life, culture, and religion |
| Literary movement | Iroquois Realism |
| Notable works | Legends of the Longhouse, Iroquois Indian Games and Dances, collection SC12845 at the New York State Library, illustrated The Code of Handsome Lake |
| Relatives | Father Edward Cornplanter (Seneca name Sosondowah) Mother Nancy Jack |
Biography
changeJesse Cornplanter was born in 1889 on the Cattaraugus Reservation in New York. His Seneca parents were Nancy Jack and Edward Cornplanter. He had six sisters and three brothers. Only two sisters survived adulthood.[2] Cornplanter did not have an education past third grade. However, he knew a lot about Seneca customs.[3]
Cornplanter served in the U.S. Army during World War One.[4] Many of his relatives, including his father and sisters, died during this time.
After the war, Cornplanter had several chief roles. He was ceremonial chief of the Long House and the chief of New Town.
He acted in movies. He most notably played Hiawatha in the silent movie Hiawatha (1913).
Cornplanter created artwork about Seneca life. Some of his illustrated books include Iroquois Indian Games and Dances (c. 1903) and Legends of the Longhouse (1938). He also illustrated The Code of Handsome Lake.
His paintings are part of the Iroquois Realist Style. He also did wood carvings.
Personal life
changeCornplanter was married to Elsina Billy. He had no children or descendants. Jesse Cornplanter was the last male descendant of Cornplanter.
Related pages
changeReferences
change- ↑ Bartlett, Charles E. (10 July 1957). "Jesse J. Cornplanter" (PDF). New York State Archeological Association. The Bulletin. 10: 1–3. Retrieved July 18, 2019.
- ↑ Liberty, Margot, ed. (July 15, 2002). American Indian Intellectuals of the Nineteenth and Early Twentieth Centuries (Red River books ed.). University of Oklahoma Press. pp. 199–222. ISBN 978-0806133720.
- ↑ Bartlett, Charles E. (10 July 1957). "Jesse J. Cornplanter" (PDF). New York State Archeological Association. The Bulletin. 10: 1–3.
- ↑ Aul, Billie (August 1996). New York State Library "Cornplanter, Jesse: Drawings SC12845". New York State Library.
Other websites
change- Jesse Cornplanter on IMDb
- Iroquois Indian games and dances Archived 2022-08-26 at the Wayback Machine: drawn by Jesse Cornplanter, Seneca Indian boy: Amherst College Archives & Special Collections
- American Indian Freemasonry (1919) by Arthur C. Parker Some illustrations by Jesse Cornplanter: Wikimedia Commons
- part 1-VOL XIII and Indian Cornhusk Dance by Carrie Cornplanter at the Smithsonian Institution. "Watercolor sketches by Jesse J. Cornplanter made when he was 12 years of age" on back.