Georgia and Georgians - the Digital Library of Georgia

GEORGIA AND GEORGIANS 3189/> Mr. Mclntosh established his home at Albany, county seat of DoughertyCounty, in 1877, becoming editor of the Albany Advertiser. A little later hebought the plant and business, consolidated it with the Albany News, andchanged the title to the Albany News and Advertiser. In control of a newspaper vehicle of his own, he quickly brought it up to the highest standards ofcountry journalism. His individuality likewise brought him into personalprominence among the citizens of the county. In 1889 Mr. Melntosh waselected mayor of Albany. In order to give his undivided time and attentionto his official duties, he sold his newspaper. Long before the term came intogeneral use he gave Albany a "business like administration," and he inaugurated some reforms and methods which have continued to benefit the citydown to the present time.In 1891, leaving the chair of mayor, like every true apostle of journalism,he reverted in allegiance to the newspaper business. He then founded theAlbany Daily Herald. Under his control this paper has reached a positionand influence second to none among the newspapers of its class in the Stateof Georgia. Its influence extends all over the southwestern part of the state,and the records show that its circulation is still increasing after twenty-fiveyears of successful existence. Both the newspaper and job printing plant ofthe Herald are kept modern in point of equipment and facility, and it is alarge and* profitable business irrespective of the influence it exercises on thelives of the community.A clear, sane course has been that followed by Mr. Melntosh throughoutall stages of his career. He is a man of mature judgment and well fortifiedconvictions. There is nothing extreme in any of the positions he takes, thoughhe is usually in advance of his times, and as soon as one movement in whichhe participates has reached the stage of practical fruitage he is already in themidst of another .line of advance. He is in no sense a practical politician.However, he is a stanch advocate of the principles of the democratic party,but he realizes as an even more important need of Georgia the demand forloyal and progressive citizens who do their work without regard to partisanadvantage. His newspaper service has been especially noteworthy along theline of pure patriotism rather than one tinged with political partisanship.Mr. Mclntosh would be the last to claim any special degree of personal infallibility, and in conducting his paper he may at times have made mistakes, butthose who know realize most fully that he has at all times been animated bya spirit of utmost loyalty and therefore there has been no wavering in theconfidence the people repose in his judgment and character.In 18"82-83 Mr. Mclntosh represented Dougherty County in the lowerhouse of the State Legislature. His record there was marked by the samelofty ideal* of citizenship that have characterized him in other relations oflife. For several years he served as president of the board of education ofDougherty County, and during the greater part of the past thirty-five yearshe has been chairman of the democratic executive committee of the SecondCongressional District.Mr. Mclntosh is genial, wholesouled, considerate and optimistic, and hasa host of stanch friends, many of them the most prominent men of the state.He is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity and Knights of Pythias, and oneof the most active members of the Albany Board of Trade. He and his wifeare members of the Presbyterian Church at Albany, and he is serving as anelder. Under his management the Georgia Chautauqua at Albany developedas one of the most successful educational enterprises of its kind in Georgia.In 1873 Mr. Mclntosh married Miss Annie White. She was born andreared in Newton County, Georgia, a daughter of John and Martha (Anderson)"White, who were residents of Covington, Newton County. Mr. andMrs. Mclntosh have one son, Henry T., who was born June 17, 1874, and is