Macintosh, John, 1821 – 1911

John Macintosh (1821-1911), ironmonger and parliamentarian, was born at Nairn, Scotland, son of James Macintosh and his wife Barbara, nee Watson. He was orphaned at ten years of age and in 1838 sailed with his sister and brother-in-law as bounty immigrants arriving at Sydney in 1839. He worked in rural areas for the first five years and used his spare time to educate himself.

In 1846 he set up in Sydney as an ironmonger and developed a successful business which became J. Macintosh & Sons when his two sons became partners in the 1870s.

Macintosh was an alderman on the Sydney City Council (1861-1877) and was elected a member of the NSW Legislative Assembly for the seat of East Sydney (1872-1880). In 1881 he was appointed to the NSW Legislative Council and remained a member until his death in 1911 at 'Lindesay', Darling Point which he acquired in 1870.[ref:ADB 5]