John Chester Buttre

• Name — J. C. Buttre • Born — 10 June 1821 • Birthplace — Auburn, New York, U.S • Died — 2 December 1893 • Place of death — Ridgewood, New Jersey, U.S • Occupation — Steel-plate engraver, lithographer • Children — Lillian C. Buttre

John Chester Buttre was born in Auburn, New York on June 10, 1821. He received his first drawing tuition from Hulaniski, a Polish exile living in Auburn. Later he applied himself to the study of portrait-painting. He was, however, better suited to drawing and wood-engraving. His work improving, he carried on the business of general engraver, producing card-plates, wood-cuts for newspapers and engraving silver-ware. Arriving in New York in 1841, he devoted himself to steel-plate engraving, at which he soon became successful, his work appearing in many magazines and newspapers. He produced a widely acclaimed full-length portrait of President James Buchanan in 1858, together with a full-length portrait of Martha Washington. His Civil War work included sentimental images such as The Empty Sleeve, Only a Little Brook and Prayer in Camp, all of which sold well. A resident of Ridgewood, New Jersey, Buttre died at his home there on December 2, 1893.