1918-1934 John McIntosh

Fairbanks

Born in Provincetown, Massachusetts, in 1872, he spent his youth in that city. There he obtained his grammar and high school education. He was a member of the Provincetown high school graduating class of '89.

In 1890, Mr. McIntosh moved to Boston and entered the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy, from which he was graduated in 1894. From Boston he went to New York City, remaining there two years before he returned to Boston.

Mr. McIntosh is registered by examination as a pharmacist in the states of Massachusetts and New Jersey and in the city and county of New York. By special appointment, he is registered in British Columbia and is also registered in the Yukon Territory and in Alaska.

It was in February, 1898, that Mr. McIntosh headed from the East for the Klondike as one of the early argonauts. (Editor's note: argonaut a. Greek myth: Any of the men who sailed with Jason to search for the Golden Fleece. b. A person who took part in the California gold rush of 1848.)

He reached Dyea in April of that year, stampeded to Atlin in August and continued on to Dawson until 1904 and then came to Fairbanks via Circle. His residence was Fairbanks ever since.

In 1909 he and Ralph T. Kubon, who had been his partner in Dawson, formed the drug firm of McIntosh and Kubon. Mr McIntosh was appointed to the board of trustees of the Alaska Agricultural College and School of Mines to succeed H. B. Parkin, whose life was lost in the sinking of the Princess Sophia. He was the first appointee not an original member. He served continuously on the board under appointments by Governor Scott C. Bone and Governor George A. Parks. He served from 1918 until 1934. He was vice-president of the board and was elected as president. George A. Lingo was appointed to take his place on the board.

Long residence in the northland and knowledge of the needs of the country fit Mr. McIntosh for the position he occupied.

On Oct. 9 1934 he died at St. Joseph's hospital in Fairbanks. He was 62 years old.

UA Site Named after John McIntosh

McIntosh Hall

Sources:

BOR file

Farthest North Collegian (Oct. 1, 1932)

Cole, Terrence. The Cornerstone On College Hill, University of Alaska Press, Fairbanks AK

University of Alaska Fairbanks Campus Catalog, 1979-1981.

Other

Jessie O'Bryan McIntosh
Mrs. Jessie McIntosh, honorary member of the Alumni Association and widow of John McIntosh, died in Seattle on January 28th, 1957 at the age of 76. Mrs. McIntosh willed portions of their estate to the university —the income to be used as a scholarship fund for worthy students. "Jennie" was a merchant and realtor. Together with John they amassed a small fortune in the interior of Alaska and planned to return it to build, through education, a finer and more capable citizenry of young people.