Donald McIntosh was born on 19th October 1872, at Overton of Fonab, Pitlochry, Scotland, to Finlay McIntosh, a farmer, and his wife Janet, nee Moon, who was a member of an old Athol family. He was one of four boys and three girls.
He was educated at Pitlochry Public School and, on leaving school, served an apprenticeship with the Pitlochry woolen firm of A & J Macnaughton. He then moved on to Edinburgh and London before finally setting up in business for himself in Birmingham.
On 1st January 1903 Donald married Kathleen Bedford Harris in Kings Norton, Birmingham where they set up home.
Donald and Kathleen had six children, sadly losing the first two, a girl and a boy, as babies, in 1904. They went on to have another three sons and a daughter.
He was a well known and respected businessman and over thirty years built up and ran a very successful gents outfitters business and at one time had five shops, one of which was in the City Arcades in Birmingham.
Donald had many outside interests one of which was his great love of golf. He had been Captain and President, as well as being a life member, of Sandwell Park Golf Club in Sutton Coldfield.
It was said that Donald was regarded as Birmingham’s greatest authority on Robert Burns. He was a prominent member of the Birmingham and Midland Scottish Society, and was elected President on more than one occasion. He was a well known public speaker with a gift of interpreting Scottish Literature. His specialty was proposing the toast - “The Immortal Memory”, on Burns night, for which he was always in great demand around the country.
Donald was also well known in Midland Freemasonry and he was a very active member of the Masonic Lodge of St Andrew.
During this time Donald and Kathleen moved to Handsworth where they brought up their family, Jack, Hector, William and Kathleen.
When Donald retired in 1931, his son William took over the running of the family business until it was sold.
The McIntosh's were a close knit family. Donald’s sister, Jessie, died a spinster living in the USA and his brother Finley emigrated to Vancouver where he ran a school of Pharmacy. Sisters Catherine and Helen, and brother Duncan and their families all lived in the Birmingham district, and saw each other on a regular basis. Kathleen died in 1948 aged 70.
In retirement Donald and Kathleen moved to Sutton Coldfield, where they lived out the war years.
Donald still kept up his many interests and had a very active social life as well as spending many happy hours tending his garden and greenhouse. He always grew roses as these were Kathleen’s favorite flowers. Donald also enjoyed walking in Sutton Park where he used to meet up with his pals.
Donald and Kathleen’s four children all married and had families, presenting them with seven grandchildren. Donald was a prolific letter writer who always kept in close touch with his family and grandchildren until his death in 1957 aged 84.
