Robert Robertson Menzies (1854 - 1935)

Born 25 Mar 1854 in Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland, United Kingdom

Ancestors

Husband of Barbara Brander (Goldie) Menzies — married 1880 in Auckland, New Zealand

Husband of Emily Elizabeth (Morgan) Menzies — married about 1894 in New Zealand

Died 24 Nov 1935 at age 81 in Thames, Thames-Coromandel, New Zealand

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Anthony Hare [send private message]

Biography

This profile is part of the Menzies Name Study.

Robert Menzies is a member of Clan Menzies.

Robert Menzies was born in Scotland.

Birth

Robert Robertson Menzies was christened on 25 Mar 1854 in Glasgow Barony, Lanarkshire, Scotland. He was the son of Robert Menzies and Ann Gardiner. ^[1]

Immigration

He came to New Zealand in 1858 with his mother, departing on 11 Sep 1858 from Gravesend, Kent, England aboard the s.s. 'Evening Star'. Arrived 21 Dec 1858 at Auckland, New Zealand.^[2]

Marriages

Robert Robertson Menzies firstly married Barbara Brander Goldie in 1880 in Auckland, New Zealand.^[3] They had six children during their marriage;

• Child: Annie Gardiner Menzies born 1881
• Child: John Goldie Menzies born 1883
• Child: Robert Robertson Menzies born 1886
• Child: Allan Gillies Menzies born 1888
• Child: Elsie Barbara Menzies born 1890
• Child: Vera Menzies born 1893

Robert Robertson Menzies secondly married Emily Elizabeth Morgan about 1894 in New Zealand.^[4] The had 5 children during their marriage;

• Child: Ellen Irena Menzies born 1894
• Child: Harold Menzies born 1895
• Child: Emily Alma Menzies born 1897
• Child: William Sidney Menzies born 1898
• Child: Roy Menzies born 1899

Employment and Business Management

At the age of 18 he started working for Buteman Bros in Thames for a year.

He then spent 3 years with them in Fiji.

On his return to Thames he went to work for Ballins Bros for a short period before taking a position in John Grey's Coromandel factory.

In March 1889 he was appointed by brewers Hancock & Co manager of the Te Aroha Mineral Water Co Ltd.

In 1889 he purchased the business of Buteman Bros forming Menzies & Co in partnership with Samuel Hirst (their trademark shows the M & H included in the monogram).

In August 1902, in conjunction with 2 partners ( William Eddows & John Ryan ), he established Menzies Ltd and leased a property in Stanley St, Auckland.

In September 1902, just 1 month later, John Grey & Sons Ltd (then Auckland's leading manufacturer) and Menzies Ltd combined to form Grey & Menzies Ltd - 2 formidable Scotsmen.

Grey & Menzies now had factories in Whangarei, Auckland, Devonport, Paeroa, Thames, Coromandel, Waihi, Te Aroha and Hamilton.

In 1915 the Paeroa Natural Mineral Water Company's property and proprietary rights where sold to Grey & Menzies - including the rights to "Paeroa and Lemon" which later in the 1940's changed to "Lemon and Paeroa".

In 1960 New Zealand Breweries took over the business but still traded as Grey & Menzies, Schweppes Limited took over then from New Zealand Breweries and formed a company named Contract Bottlers Limited.

Grey & Menzies later merged with CL Innes & Company in 1963, forming Innes Tartan Limited, then merged with Oasis Industries, who after various name & ownership changes are now the largest bottlers in New Zealand.

Death and Burial

Robert Robertson Menzies Jnr died in 1935 in New Zealand.^[5] He was buried at the Shortland Cemetery, Thames, Thames-Coromandel District, Waikato, New Zealand. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/176046910/robert-robertson-menzies

Acknowledgements

This profile was started by Graeme Olney through the import of 151115 NZ Olney.ged on 12 Jul, 2015.

To R Hare Hare-1576 and P Gray Howard-18870 for research and compiling, and contact with the Menzies family.

FURTHER INFORMATION - MENZIES PROJECT https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Space:MINGUS_Inc._%28Menzies_INternational_Genealogy_UnderStudy%29-1

Sources

1. ↑ "Scotland Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X1WZ-9LR : 10 February 2018), Robert Menzies, 25 Mar 1854; citing BARONY,LANARK,SCOTLAND, reference , index based upon data collected by the Genealogical Society of Utah, Salt Lake City; FHL microfilm 1,041,480.
2. ↑ Shipping Intelligence. PORT OF AUCKLAND. ENTERED INWARD December 21 - Evening Star, ship, 811 tons, Ewen, from London Sep 12. Passengers for Auckland ... Mary Gardiner, Ann, George, Mary, Janet, John, and Robert Menzies ... Daily Southern Cross 24 Dec 1858.
3. ↑ "New Zealand, Civil Records Indexes, 1800-1966," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q24V-VV9G : 4 October 2016), Robert Robertson Menzies and Barbara Brander Goldie, 1880; citing Marriage, New Zealand, registration number 1880/3033, Archives of New Zealand, Wellington.
4. ↑ "New Zealand, Civil Records Indexes, 1800-1966," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q24K-5DN9 : 4 October 2016), Robert Robertson Menzies and Emily Elizabeth Morgan, 1894; citing Marriage, New Zealand, registration number 1894/1097, Archives of New Zealand, Wellington.
5. ↑ "New Zealand, Civil Records Indexes, 1800-1966," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QG6K-GQMR : 4 January 2018), Robert Robertson Menzies, 1935; citing Death, New Zealand, registration number 1935/21797, Archives of New Zealand, Wellington.