Mackay, Donald (1840-1912)
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Donald MacKay was one of Englewood’s most respected civic leaders in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, known for his military service, public leadership, and lasting philanthropic contributions. A veteran of the Civil War, MacKay enlisted as a young man and saw combat at the Battle of Bull Run, one of the war’s earliest and most consequential engagements. His wartime service shaped a lifelong sense of duty that later defined his civilian career.
MacKay relocated to Englewood in 1867, where he became a central figure in the town’s civic, financial, and social life. He rose to prominence in banking, serving as president of the Citizens’ National Bank of Englewood and as a director of the Merchants’ National Bank and the Harriman National Bank of New York. Through these roles, he played a key part in guiding local and regional financial institutions during a period of rapid growth.
His commitment to public service culminated in his election as mayor of Englewood, a position he held from 1906 to 1910. Widely regarded as the city’s foremost citizen during this period, MacKay was known for his steady leadership and broad public support. His belief in civic responsibility extended beyond officeholding and into tangible acts of philanthropy.
MacKay’s most enduring legacy is Mackay Park, the land for which he personally donated. Intended as a public space for all residents, the park reflected his conviction that access to open, communal spaces was essential to the well-being of a growing town.
In addition to his civic and financial leadership, MacKay was deeply involved in Englewood’s religious and social institutions. He served on the board of trustees of the First Presbyterian Church and was an active member of the Elks Club, further underscoring his role as a unifying figure across the community.
Donald MacKay died suddenly on March 1, 1912, while traveling home from New York City to Englewood by train through the Hudson Tunnel en route to the Erie Railroad station. After attending business meetings earlier that day, he was discovered deceased in his seat when the train reached its destination. His death shocked the city, prompting widespread mourning and flags flown at half-mast throughout Englewood.
Remembered as a soldier, mayor, banker, and philanthropist, Donald MacKay left a profound imprint on Englewood’s civic landscape—one that endures most visibly in the public park that bears his name and in the institutions he helped guide.
He married Jennie Wise. He had three children, Malcolm S., Duncan, and Jennie L.
"Englewood's Foremost Citizen Passes Away." The Jersey Journal, 1 Mar. 1912, p.13.
"Many At Funeral of Donald Mackay." The Morning Call, 4 Mar. 1912, p.6.
