Chief John Big Tree

Seneca/Deer Clan
Acting name: Chief John “Johnny” Big Tree

Biography

• Son of Lewis and Lucy (Jemison) Johnyjohn
• Attended Carlisle Indian Industrial School from 1892-1893
• Married 1st: Phoebe White
• Their child: Deforest Johnyjohn
• Married 2nd: Clara Tandy Jimeson
• Their child: Birdie Johnyjohn
• Married 3rd: Cynthia Johnson

Isaac Johnyjohn appeared in over 100 films using the name "Chief John Big Tree". He was featured and appeared on the cover of Esquire magazine's March 1964 issue. His pose on the cover was in commemoration of the Indian head nickle.
Isaac stated, of himself, that he was " the best bareback rider in Hollywood ". Other boasts were: he was 102 years old, his was the profile on the Indian head nickel (this image is also used on the badges of the officers in the BIA or the Department of the Interior Bureau of Indian Affairs). The actor also claimed that he was the model for James Earle Fraser's sculpture, End of the Trail.

   "Big Tree claimed to be one of three Native American chiefs whose profiles were composited to make the portrait featured on the obverse of the United States' Indian Head nickel, designed by sculptor James Earle Fraser. The other two chiefs were Iron Tail and Two Moons. Big Tree claimed that his profile was used to create that portion of the portrait from the top of the forehead to the upper lip.Big Tree also claimed to be the sole model for Fraser's most recognized work, the doleful End of the Trail.Both of these claims are broadly disputed, and Fraser identified other models." https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chief_John_Big_Tree

[The Chief] passed away on the Onondaga Indian Reservation in Indian Village, New York, on July 6, 1967, at the age of 90, and he was buried in the Onondaga Nation Cemetery in Indian Village, New York. He was married to Cynthia Johnson Big Tree (1887-1971), a suffragist, and artist whose accomplishments included Indian crafts and skills, miniatures, and life-size corn husk dolls. He was also married to Clara T. Jimerson Big Tree and was the father of Birdie Johnny John. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/39318290/john-big_tree

Movie Credits

"The White Scar" (1915), and playing the role of 'Chief Pontiac' in the historical war film drama, "Winners Of The Wilderness" (1927), his many other film credits include, "Author! Author!" (1915), "The Cactus Blossom" (1915), "The Spirit Of '76" (1917), "A Fight For Love" (1919), "The Avenging Arrow" (1921), "The Primitive Lover" (1922), "The Huntress" (1923), "The Iron Horse" (1924), "The Red Rider" (1925), "Ranson's Folly" (1926), "The Frontier Trail" (1926), "Mantrap" (1926), "War Paint" (1926), "The Desert's Toll" (1926), "The Outlaw Breaker" (1926), "The Frontiersman" (1927), "Painted Ponies" (1927), "Spoilers Of The West" (1927), "Wyoming" (1928), "The Overland Telegraph" (1929), "Sioux Blood" (1929), "The Big Trail" (1930), "Red Fork Range" (1931), "Fighting Caravans" (1931), "The Last Of The Mohicans" (1932), "The Golden West" (1932), "Telegraph Trail" (1933), "King Of The Arena" (1933), "Massacre" (1934), "Wheels Of Destiny" (1934), "The Cat's-Paw" (1934), "Wake Up And Dream" (1934), "The Miracle Rider" (1935), "The Farmer Takes A Wife" (1935), "The Singing Vagabond" (1935), "Custer's Last Stand" (1936), "The Adventures Of Frank Merriwell" (1936), "Daniel Boone" (1936), "The Bold Caballero" (1936), "Maid Of Salem" (1937), "Lost Horizon" (1937), "Hills Of Old Wyoming" (1937), "The Painted Stallion" (1937), "Prairie Thunder" (1937), "The Girl Of The Golden West" (1938), "Flaming Frontiers" (1938), "Hawk Of The Wilderness" (1938), "Stagecoach" (1939), "Susannah Of The Mounties" (1939), "The Oregon Trail" (1939), "Drums Along The Mohawk" (1939), "Destry Rides Again" (1939), "Maintain The Right" (1940), "Brigham Young" (1940), "Too Many Girls" (1940), "North West Mounted Police" (1940), "Hudson's Bay" (1940), "Western Union" (1941), "Las Vegas Nights" (1941), "Unconquered" (1947), and "She Wore A Yellow Ribbon" (1949). His last film role was playing 'Thundercloud' in the western romance film, "Devil's Doorway" (1950).

• https://b-westerns.com/native8.htm
• https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chief_John_Big_Tree
• https://dbpedia.org/page/Chief_John_Big_Tree
• https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Johnny_John-1

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Chief John Big Tree