John McIntosh (Upper Canada politician)
Encyclopedia
John McIntosh was a Scottish-Canadian businessman, ship's captain and political figure in Upper Canada
.
He was born in Colarich, in the parish of Logierait
, Atholl
, Scotland
, in 1796, and emigrate
d to Quebec
in 1800 or 1801 with his family. They moved to York (Toronto
) in 1803. He served in the local militia
during the War of 1812
and was captured by the Americans
at York. After the war, John and his brothers piloted a number of ships on the Great Lakes
. He married in 1824 and received enough property from his father-in-law to allow him to retire and devote his time to politics.
In 1834, McIntosh was elected in the 4th riding of York
as a Reformer
; he was reelected in 1836. Although he supported William Lyon Mackenzie
during the 1830s, he did not agree with all of Mackenzie's ideas and took no part in the Upper Canada Rebellion
. McIntosh's second wife, Helen, was the sister of Mackenzie's wife. He opposed the union of Upper and Lower Canada
and was defeated by Robert Baldwin
in 1841 when he campaigned for reelection in 4th York. In 1849, he allowed William Lyon Mackenzie to stay at his home after Mackenzie's return from exile. He died in Toronto in 1853.
Upper Canada
The Province of Upper Canada was a political division in British Canada established in 1791 by the British Empire to govern the central third of the lands in British North America and to accommodate Loyalist refugees from the United States of America after the American Revolution...
.
He was born in Colarich, in the parish of Logierait
Logierait
Logierait is a village and parish in Atholl, Scotland. It is situated at the confluence of the rivers Tay and Tummel, west of the A9 road in Perth and Kinross....
, Atholl
Atholl
Atholl or Athole is a large historical division in the Scottish Highlands. Today it forms the northern part of Perth and Kinross, Scotland bordering Marr, Badenoch, Breadalbane, Strathearn, Perth and Lochaber....
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, in 1796, and emigrate
Emigrate
Emigrate is a heavy metal band based in New York, led by Richard Z. Kruspe, the lead guitarist of the German band Rammstein.-History:Kruspe started the band in 2005, when Rammstein decided to take a year off from touring and recording...
d to Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
in 1800 or 1801 with his family. They moved to York (Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
) in 1803. He served in the local militia
Militia
The term militia is commonly used today to refer to a military force composed of ordinary citizens to provide defense, emergency law enforcement, or paramilitary service, in times of emergency without being paid a regular salary or committed to a fixed term of service. It is a polyseme with...
during the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
and was captured by the Americans
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
at York. After the war, John and his brothers piloted a number of ships on the Great Lakes
Great Lakes
The Great Lakes are a collection of freshwater lakes located in northeastern North America, on the Canada – United States border. Consisting of Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario, they form the largest group of freshwater lakes on Earth by total surface, coming in second by volume...
. He married in 1824 and received enough property from his father-in-law to allow him to retire and devote his time to politics.
In 1834, McIntosh was elected in the 4th riding of York
York County, Ontario
York County is a historic county in Upper Canada, Canada West, and the Canadian province of Ontario.York County was created in 1792 and was part of the jurisdiction of Home District of Upper Canada...
as a Reformer
Reform Party (pre-Confederation)
The Reform movement, sometimes referred to as the Reform Party, began in the 1830s as the movement in the English speaking parts of British North America . It agitated for responsible government....
; he was reelected in 1836. Although he supported William Lyon Mackenzie
William Lyon Mackenzie
William Lyon Mackenzie was a Scottish born American and Canadian journalist, politician, and rebellion leader. He served as the first mayor of Toronto, Upper Canada and was an important leader during the 1837 Upper Canada Rebellion.-Background and early years in Scotland, 1795–1820:Mackenzie was...
during the 1830s, he did not agree with all of Mackenzie's ideas and took no part in the Upper Canada Rebellion
Upper Canada Rebellion
The Upper Canada Rebellion was, along with the Lower Canada Rebellion in Lower Canada, a rebellion against the British colonial government in 1837 and 1838. Collectively they are also known as the Rebellions of 1837.-Issues:...
. McIntosh's second wife, Helen, was the sister of Mackenzie's wife. He opposed the union of Upper and Lower Canada
Lower Canada
The Province of Lower Canada was a British colony on the lower Saint Lawrence River and the shores of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence...
and was defeated by Robert Baldwin
Robert Baldwin
Robert Baldwin was born at York . He, along with his political partner Louis-Hippolyte Lafontaine, led the first responsible ministry in Canada, regarded by some as the first truly Canadian government....
in 1841 when he campaigned for reelection in 4th York. In 1849, he allowed William Lyon Mackenzie to stay at his home after Mackenzie's return from exile. He died in Toronto in 1853.