There are no cities which depend upon a single line of business for existence, even those which have grown up about a great industrial plant, for the demands of modern civilization are varied and the progressive community is that in which are to be found all lines of modern business, each under the direction of a wide-awake, alert and progressive manager. In Rawlins, Willet L. Robertson has won for himself a creditable place as a leading merchant, being now actively and successfully engaged as optician and jeweler.
    He was born in Indianola, Iowa, July 31, 1883, a son of William Robertson, who belonged to an old Ohio family of Scotch lineage founded in America prior to the Revolutionary war. He turned his attention to the milling business and became an early settler of Warren county, Iowa, where he established his home in the early '60s. He passed away in Indianola, Iowa, in 1895, when sixty-one years of age. His wife bore the maiden name of Lovina Kimball and was born in Ohio, belonging to a pioneer family of that state, also of Scotch origin. Mrs. Robertson still survives and is living in the old home at Indianola, Iowa.
    Willet L. Robertson was the fourth in order of birth in a family of six children. He was educated in the public schools of his native city and after his textbooks were put aside started out to earn his own living when a youth of fifteen years. He entered upon an apprenticeship to learn the jeweler's trade, which he afterward followed as a journeyman for twelve years, and during that period he was associated with leading jewelers in Des Moines, Oskaloosa, Davenport and other Iowa cities. He removed to the west in 1911, establishing his home in Rawlins, where he opened his present store. He has since been engaged in the jewelry trade and as optician and in point of business has one of the leading jewelry shops in the county. His store is thoroughly modern in every detail and he carries an attractive line of jewelry and precious stones. He is watch inspector for the Union Pacific and has built up a private patronage of substantial proportions, his business growing continuously as the years go by. the public recognizing the integrity of his methods and the enterprise which actuates him in all business connections.
    In Rawlins, on the 15^th of February, 1917, Mr. Robertson was married to Miss Elizabeth Niland, a daughter of William and Elizabeth Niland, who were early settlers of this state. Mr. Robertson is a Mason, belonging to the blue lodge and to the commandery. He is also identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. His political endorsement is given to the republican party, which he has supported by his ballot since reaching adult age. He started out in life a poor boy without capital and today he is one of the progressive merchants of Rawlins, his success being the legitimate outcome of his persistent effort, intelligently directed. He has social qualities which have won for him warm friendships, while his business discernment and enterprise have placed him with the leading merchants of his adopted city.