Robert A. Willats came to the United States from London,
England in 1906. He first came to
Connecticut and then to Redfield, South Dakota. He heard of a farmer who needed help near Pender, Nebraska so
he moved there and worked on the farm until 1913. He went back to England and married Florence Ada Moore,
returning to Pender and rented his their farm. Then he bought a farm at Thurston, Nebraska. In 1924 he traded his farm with George
Albrecht of Orchard and then moved to Antelope County. They lived on this farm until moving in to
Orchard for their last few years. Robert passed away in March 1967 and Florence in April 1971. They were the parents of six children: Ann married Alfred Marshall; Earl R; Dale;
David; and Donald. One son died in
infancy.
Source Unknown: Originally submitted for this website in July 2007