IT is often commented upon that most of the high positions in New York are held by men who were born and had their early training in small towns or in the old country. The tendency toward specialization in the large cities is favorably offset by the advantage of more personal individual training and by the knowledge and experience in all departments of a business that is necessary to executive success. The thoroughness of apprenticeship in Scottish mercantile houses is reflected in the scores of young men who have come to America, all of whom have prospered in the dry goods, millinery and department store business.

William J. Robb, one of the most successful of the Scots in the millinery trade, was born in Turriff, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, in 1867, the son of William and Christina (Cruickshank) Robb, and received his early education in the schools of his native town.

Mr. Robb first entered the wholesale drygoods business in Aberdeen, and came to New York City in 1887, where he secured employment as a clerk with the wholesale house of Aitken Son & Company. Some years afterward he became connected with the department store of Simpson, Crawford & Company, and in 1902 joined the Judkins & McCormick Company, New York City, as a partner. He is now Vice-President and Treasurer of the firm, one of the largest manufacturing and wholesale millinery houses in the city.

Mr. Robb is a persistent and conscientious worker and his advancement and success are due to close application to details and a sincere and engaging personality.

Mr. Robb became a citizen of the United States in 1902, but he retains all his love for and interest in his native land. He has been a member of the St. Andrew’s Society of the State of New York since 1895, and is a member of the Board of Managers. He is an ex-President, also a member, of the New York Scottish Society (President in 1891), and the New York Burns Society, and a member of the Presbyterian Church.