taken from NZETC, written about 1908
... Mr MILTON RHODES VARNHAM, the senior partner of Messrs. Varnham and Rose, was born in Wellington in October 1860 and after leaving school was apprenticed to the building trade, which he afterwards followed for twenty-two years, during which time he also studied architecture.
In the year 1893 he established himself as an architect in Masterton and Greytown, where he has since practised his profession.
Five years later he was joined by Mr. Rose.

Mr. Varnham is a musician of considerable ability, and was successively conductor of the Greytown and Papawai Native Band, the Waipawa Native Band, and the Greytown Orchestral Society.
For six years he was a member of the Greytown Borough Council and the Town Lands Trust and was also a member of the school committee and the church management committee.

He is an enthusiastic angler and sportsman, is married, and has four sons and two daughters.

Milton Rhodes Varnham (1860-1938) married:
Edith Mary DUNN (1871-1965) in 1892


MILTON & EDITH had 7 known [children

... 1
1894 - 1970 Edith Dorothy Varnham
- Edith married Fritz KRULL (1873-1962) in 1920
- they were Farmers in Marama, Kimbolton


... 2
1895 - 1930 Cyril Leslie Varnham
- Cyril served in WWI as Lance Corporal 41250 with the NZEF, Reinforcements J Company. He ebarked from Wellington 16 Feb 1917. His next of kin was his mother at Akatawawa, Upper Hutt
- Cyril married Veronice Jacomb EDSER (1903-?) in 1921
- daughter of Ambrose EDSER (1868-1952) London to Patea & Maude Kathleen JACOMB
CYRIL died 22 Aug 1930 aged 33
- he is buried General Row 40 Plot 21 at Old Levin cemetery


... 3
1897 - 1970 Harold Ernest Varnham
- Harold married Marion Beatrice FALLOON in 1945
17 Feb 1945 Marion Beatrice, only daughter of the late Mr and Mrs J. W. A. Falloon, "Bowlands", Bideford, Masterton, to Harold Ernest, son of Mrs Varnham, Paekakariki, and the late M. R. Varnham, of Levin
- Harold died 10 Feb 1970 aged 72
- he was cremated at Karori, Wellington
- his ashes were interred at Karori on 24 April 1971


... 4
1900 - Inez Varnham
- Inez, like her siblings, attended school in Masterton
- In Dec 1913 she was promoted to Standard VI


... 5
1902 - 1921 Eric Milton Varnham
- Eric died in Masterton, 17 May 1921 aged 19
- he is buried General Row 2 Plot 37 at Old Levin Cemetery


... 6
1904 - 1986 Hector Rhodes Varnham
- Hector married Vera Olive Grace DEVINE (1908-1989) in 1932
- daughter of Thomas DEVINE & Margaret Dimien/Drinnen POLLOCK
HECTOR died 5 Nov 1986 aged 82
- he is buried Block B, Burials Plot 148 at the Avenue Cemetery with Vera


... 7
1910 - 1989 Laurence Roger Varnham
- Laurence died 11 Dec 1989 aged 79 in Palmerston North Hospital
- he was a Painter & Paperhanger of Fitzherbert Ave
- he was cremated at Kelvin Grove



TIMELINE
11 March 1875 - aged 15
... The Wairarapa Standard mentions a serious accident to Milton Varnham, son of Mrs Varnham of Papawai. A horse fell and rolled over him fracturing one of his thighs. He is said to be progressing favorably


2 April 1889 - GREYTOWN (aged 28)
... The following tenders were received by the Board of Education for repairs and alteratons to the Greytown school buildings:-
M. R. VARNHAM ?396 8s (accepted) (2012 equivalent of $74,700)
A. R. WALLIS ?427
W. BOYD ?468 10S 5D
H. TROTMAN ?472


7 April 1892 - GREYTOWN (aged 31)
... We have received a copy of the words of a new cantata produced at Greytown last evening. The cantata is entitled "The New Zealand Arbor Day", words by the Rev E. H. Wyatt and music by Mr M. R. Varnham. The work, which was performed by the Greytown School children, is dedicated to Sir George Grey. Mr W. C. Nation was hon. sec. of the Concert Committee


22 Nov 1892 - GREYTOWN (aged 32)
... Mr M. R. Varnham of Greytown, sends us a copy of a mazurka entitled "The Merry Dancers," just composed and published by him. It is very tuneful and will, no-doubt, become popular


29 July 1899 - (aged 39)
TO BUILDERS - TENDERS for the Erection of a House at Seatoun are invited, to close Monday, 7th August, noon. Plans and specificaitons may be seen at E. J. King's Music Shop, Manners-street. M. R. VARNHAM, Architect, Greytown


15 April 1901 - GREYTOWN (aged 40)
... Mr F. H. Wood has been elected unopposed as Mayor. Some years ago he held the position for seven years. The candidates for the seats on the Council are:-
Messrs:
R. BRIGHT
M. LYONS
H. TROTMAN
W. H. DAY
H. W. DUFF
C. ROGERS
A. C. BICHNELL
E. PLAYLE
A. MURRAY
M. R. VARNHAM
A. C. PRENTICE
The election will be held on the 24th


31 Oct 1906 - GREYTOWN (aged 46)
... Mr M. R. Varnham, of Greytown, has disposed of his property in that locality, with a view to removing to Masterton, which he will make his headquarters in future. He does not, however, propose leaving Greytown for about six months yet


21 Nov 1906 - (aged 46) MASTERTON ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY,
Last Night's Concert
.. Bassoon - Mr M. R. Varnham


20 Nov 1911 - GREYTOWN (aged 51)
... The tender of J. Brunton has been accepted for the erection of bathing sheds for the Coronation Swimming Baths at Greytown. They will contain ten dressing compartments, two lobbies, custodian's and linen rooms, and a shelter shed. At the entrance end is a tower, with flagstaff. Mr M. R. Varnham is the architect


1 June 1912 - MASTERTON (aged 52)
... On Tuesday last, Mr G. H. Ralph, of Ihuraua, son of Mr G. Ralph, of Eketahuna, was married to Miss Ella Dunn, of Greytown (Ella Kate Dunn, 1875-1949, was a sister of Milton's wife Edith Mary Dunn). The ceremony, which took place at the residene of Mr M. R. Varnham, of Masteron, was performed by the Rev A. T. Thompson, B.A., B.D.


2 Sep 1912 - MASTERTON (aged 52)
... Mr M. R. Varnham, architect, of Masterton, has been elected a Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Architects


6 August 1913 - MASTERTON (aged 53)
... MILTON R. VARNHAM, F.N.Z.I.A., ARCHITECT, Academy Buildings, Tel. 142, Queen-street Masterton (Entrance Church-street) The third concert of the third season of the Masterton Orchestral Society, which was given in the Town Hall, last evening, proved most enjoyable. There was a very large audience, which testified its approval of the programme, and the excellent style of its production, in a manner which left no doubt as to entire satisfaction with the high-class musical treat provided ... encores followed every item ... The personnel of the orchestra was as follows:-
Deputy Conductor - Mr James CANDY
Leader - Mr Reihana BOYES
1st violins - Miss K. HOLLOWAY, Messrs Reuhana BOYES (leader), P. L. HOLLINGS & BURROWS
2nd Violins - Misses BROWN, JENKINSON, KEISENBERG & Messrs A. RENALL & E. McHATTIE
Viola - Mr WINCHESTER
Cello - Mr H. INNS
Contra Bass - Mr A. RUSSELL
Flute - Mr J. BARRETT
Clarionettes - Messrs W. BARLOW & STEWARD
Bassoon - Mr M. R. VARNHAM
Oboe - Mr F. HUNN
Cornets - Messrs Tom RODGERS & A. ROSE
Horn - Mr A. MASON
Trombone - Mr G. W. HUTCHINSON
Tympani - Mr E. LANGTON
Glockenspiel - Master S. GOUGH


17 June 1914 - GREYTOWN (aged 54)
... Mr Milton Varnham and family left Wairarapa for their new home at Akatarawa on Monday, where Mr Varnham will engage in farming


13 April 1937 - (aged 77)
... The death occurred recently at her residence situated in the beautiful grounds of "Aratapu", Wright street, of Mrs Emily Davis St. George, one of Wellington's oldest identitis. Her husband was Mr Louis Edwin St. George, son of the late Dr St. George, Taranaki. They were married at St Luke's Church, Greytown, in 1878, had celebrated their golden wedding and were in the year of the diamond wedding.
Born in Wellington, Mrs St. George was the daughter of the late Captain Varnham (brother of Colonel Varnham, of the Isle of Wight), one of New Zealand's early pioneers.
.. Mrs St. George is survived by her husband and the following family:-
Mrs G. HAINES (Wellington), daughter Mabel Letitia St George (1883-1960) married Albert George Haines in 1908
Mrs R. PEARCE (Te Awamutu), daughter Jessie Maud St George 1885-1961
Mrs W. BARDSLEY (Dunedin), daughter Kate Elizbeth St George (1888-1958) married William Longworth Sydney Bardsley in 1910
Mr G. L. St GEORGE (Auckland)(George Leonard 1890-1979)
.. Her brothers are:
Mr John Varnham (Wairarapa) (1859-1940)
Mr Milton Varnham (Levin) (Milton Rhodes 1860-1938)
Mr Charles Varnham (Wellington) (Charles Dixon Luxford 1867-1943)
.. Other relatives in Auckland are
Mr George St. George (St George's Bay Road) (George Edward 1888-1966)
Mr Douglas St.George (Remuera) (1883-1953)
Mr Arthur St. George (Meadowbank) (Arthur Douglas 1875-1947)
Mr Warner Varnham (Grey Lynn) (Warner Jack Leeson 1903-1984)
NOTE her other children who died before her:
* 12 May 19 Varnham St George (1895-1915), died aged 20
* Alice May St George (1884-1920) died aged 20



MILTON RHODES VARNHAM died 1 Nov 1938 aged 78
- he is buried General Row 44 Plot 52 at Old Levin Cemetery

EDITH MAY VARNHAM died 24 Dec 1965 aged 94
- she was cremated at Karori, Wellington



PHOTO
Milton Rhodes Varnham
taken from the top link