Jesse Cornplanter

Jesse Cornplanter
Jesse Cornplanter making a ceremonial mask, Tonawanda Community House, Tonawanda, New York. Photographed in 1940.
Jesse Cornplanter making a ceremonial mask, Tonawanda Community House, Tonawanda, New York. Photographed in 1940.
BornHayonhwonhish
(1889-09-16)September 16, 1889
Cattaraugus Reservation, NY
DiedMarch 18, 1957(1957-03-18) (aged 67)
Genesee, NY
OccupationActor, Author, Artist, Craftsman, Keeper of Seneca Culture
CitizenshipAmerican
SubjectSeneca life, culture, and religion
Literary movementIroquois Realism
Notable worksLegends of the Longhouse, Iroquois Indian Games and Dances, collection SC12845 at the New York State Library, illustrated The Code of Handsome Lake
RelativesFather Edward Cornplanter (Seneca name Sosondowah)
Mother Nancy Jack

Jesse J. Cornplanter (September 16, 1889 – March 18, 1957) was an actor, artist, author, craftsman, Seneca Faithkeeper and World War I decorated veteran. 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.

Biography

Jesse 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. Cornplanter did not have an education past third grade. However, he knew a lot about Seneca customs.

Cornplanter served in the U.S. Army during World War One. 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

Cornplanter was married to Elsina Billy. He had no children or descendants. Jesse Cornplanter was the last male descendant of Cornplanter.

References

  1. ↑ Bartlett, Charles E. (10 July 1957). "Jesse J. Cornplanter" (PDF). New York State Archeological Association. The Bulletin. 10: 1–3. Retrieved July 18, 2019.
  2. ↑ 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.
  3. ↑ Bartlett, Charles E. (10 July 1957). "Jesse J. Cornplanter" (PDF). New York State Archeological Association. The Bulletin. 10: 1–3.
  4. ↑ Aul, Billie (August 1996). New York State Library "Cornplanter, Jesse: Drawings SC12845". New York State Library.

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