The following information about John A. McIntosh appeared in the Oct. 1, 1932 issue of Farthest North Collegian. McIntosh Hall at UAF is named for the Fairbanks pharmacist and longtime trustee of the Alaska Agricultural College and School of Mines.

John A. McIntosh was a member of the board of trustees of the Alaska Agricultural College and School of Mines from 1918 until 1934.

He had served continuously on the board under appointments by Governor Scott C. Bone and Governor George A. Parks. Prior to his election as president he was vice-president of the board.

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

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 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.

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.

McIntosh Hall John A. McIntosh Hall opened in 1956 as a men's residence hall. It is one of three halls of the same design on Denali Lane. The other two behind Lola Tilly Commons are Nerland and Stevens halls. McIntosh can comfortably accommodate 100 students in both single and double rooms.

In 1983, the building received substantial renovations and upgrades. Another renovation in 1997 added new furniture and wiring to provide cable television and high-speed Internet access. McIntosh was the last remaining all-men’s residence hall on campus until 1998, when it went coed by floor.

Sources: “The Cornerstone on College Hill,” by Terrence Cole; “University of Alaska Fairbanks Campus Catalog, 1979-81”, Eric Jozwiak, Assoc. Director for Residence Life, UAF; Nathan Platt, Residence Life, UAF, 2002.

"The People Behind Campus Names" On these pages, you will find the stories of the people behind the names. Who are they and what did they contribute to the University of Alaska?

Jessie O’Bryan McIntosh Scholarship Fund