Chief John Big Tree

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Chief John Big Tree
James Earle Fraser's sculptor, "End of the Trail," for which Big Tree was the model.
Born	2 June 1877 Michigan  United States
Died	6 July 1967 Onondaga Indian Reservation, New York  United States
Other name(s)	Big Tree Chief Big Tree John Big Tree
Years active	1915-1950

Chief John Big Tree (2 June 1877 – 6 July 1967) (birthname: Isaac Johnny John) was a member of the Seneca Nation and an actor who appeared in 59 films between 1915 and 1950.

Big Tree was one of three Native American Chiefs whose profiles were composited to make the portrait featured on the the obverse of the United State's Indian Head nickel, designed by sculptor James Earle Fraser. The other two chiefs were Iron Tail and Two Moons. Big Tree's profile was used to create that portion of the portrait from the top of the forehead to the upper lip. Big Tree alone--at the age of 57--was the model for Fraser's most recognized work, the doleful "End of the Trail."^[1]

He was born in Michigan and died in Onondaga Indian Reservation, New York.

[edit] Selected filmography

• She Wore a Yellow Ribbon (1949)
• Drums Along the Mohawk (1939)
• Stagecoach (1939)
• The Frontier Trail (1926)
• The Iron Horse (1924)
• The Avenging Arrow (1921)
• A Fight for Love (1919)

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Chief John Big Tree at the Internet Movie Database

Persondata
NAME	Tree, Chief John Big
ALTERNATIVE NAMES
SHORT DESCRIPTION	Actor
DATE OF BIRTH	2 June 1877
PLACE OF BIRTH	Michigan  United States
DATE OF DEATH	6 July 1967
PLACE OF DEATH	Onondaga Indian Reservation, New York  United States