Mini Bios of People of Scots Descent
Rev. Rowland Oliver Mackintosh Biography

The Rev. Rowland Oliver Mackintosh, rector of Christ's (Episcopal) church of Lead, South Dakota, is a power not only in church circles of the city but also in the larger community life, as he realizes that the clergy can serve the cause of Christianity by aiding in all those movements that seek the betterment of mankind as well as by caring for the spiritual needs of the members of their congregations. Without neglecting in the least this last duty, Mr. Mackintosh has done much for the welfare of the community along many lines of moral progress. He was born in County Donegal, Ireland, on the 20th of April, 1881, a son of John and Elizabeth (McClay) Mackintosh. The father was born in Inverness, Scotland, and the mother in County Tyrone, Ireland, of Scotch antecedents. They are now residents of Donegal, Ireland, where the father was connected with the government service. 

Rev. Rowland O. Mackintosh was reared at home, receiving his early educational training in the public schools, while later he was instructed by a tutor. Upon leaving the Emerald isle he went to Canada, where he spent two years with a brothel, being engaged during that time in survey work in connection with railroad construction. Determining upon the ministry as a life work, he entered the Kansas Theological College at Topeka in 1904 and graduated in 1907. He became rector of St. John's church at Parsons, Kansas, where he remained for about two years, after which he devoted three and a half years to missionary work in California and Wyoming. In February, 1914, he was called to Lead as rector of Christ's church, which has one of the largest Episcopal Sunday schools west of Chicago and the largest church attendance in Lead. The members of the church are on the whole deeply devoted to its interests and the influence of the organization is felt throughout the city, being a strong force for moral advancement. The zeal and consecration of Mr. Mackintosh are a potent element in the development of the church, which has already accomplished great things in the name of Christianity. 

He was married on the 10th of June, 1908, to Miss Helen Attrill, of Ridgewood Park, Goderich, Ontario, Canada, and to this union has been born a son, John, whose natal day was October 12, 1909. 

Mr. Mackintosh is a member of Parsons Lodge, No. 183, A. F. & A. M., and Deadwood Consistory, No. 3, having taken the thirty-second degree in Scottish Rite Masonry. He believes in the wisdom of the policies of the republican party and supports its candidates at the polls. While in Wyoming he was chaplain for the National Guard of that state. His sincerity, zeal and straightforwardness and his exemplification of the spirit of brotherly kindness have won him not only the esteem of his own people, but the respect of the community at large.