McIntosh, Thomas "Tom"
(born: 1840 - died: March 3, 1904)Tom McIntosh, born in Lexington, KY, was a comedian who had his greatest success with Callender's Georgia Minstrels. In addition to his great comedic talent, McIntosh was also an exhibition drummer and singer. During his career, he teamed with female impersonator Willis Ganze, performing on some of the leading circuits in the U.S. He then teamed with his wife, Hattie McIntosh, for a short period. Tom McIntosh later took the starring role of Mr. Bullion in "Southern Enchantment" with the Smart Set Company; he replaced Kentucky native Ernest Hogan [Reuben Crowders]. Tom McIntosh died of a stroke while the Smart Set Company was enroute from Indianapolis, IN, to Columbus, OH.
McIntosh was a member of K. of P. Lodge No.2 of Chicago. His body was escorted to the home of McIntosh's sister Maria L. Johnson at 339 E. Short St. in Lexington, KY. The escort was by R. E. Humphrey who was the Administrator of the Urbana, Ohio, Lodge. The body was handled by Porter Jackson Funeral Home. Tom McIntosh's funeral was held at Main Street Baptist Church in Lexington. Thomas McIntosh was buried in African Cemetery No.2 according to his Kentucky Death Record #7450 (Ancestry). He was the husband of Hattie Booker McIntosh.
it is not known when Tom McIntosh left Kentucky. It is not known if he was enslaved in Kentucky. He is mentioned in the newspapers as a stage performer in the 1870s. A review of Callender's Minstrels in 1878 praised his singing. "...Tom McIntosh, he has the grandest mouth that any endman, black or white, has ever brought to this city." --Source: "Callender's Minstrels," The Portland Daily Press, 07/19/1878, p.3.
For more see his career review by Sylvester Russell, "Tribute to Tom McIntosh," Indianapolis Freeman, 04/09/1904, p. 5; Profiles of African American Stage Performers and Theatre People, 1816-1960, by B. L. Peterson, Jr.; "Cards of Thanks," Lexington Leader, 05/22/1904, p.3; 'Minstrel," The Morning Herald, 03/08/1904, p.5.