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Charles Lukens Huston papers

Creation: 1806-1951 Creation: bulk 1870-1951
 Collection
Accession: 1174

Abstract

Charles L. Huston (1856-1951) was an executive in the family business, Lukens Steel, and was active in religious and civic affairs. His papers are primarily personal in nature and include fragmentary Lukens Steel records.

Dates

  • Creation: 1806-1951
  • Creation: bulk 1870-1951

Creator

Extent

53 Linear Feet

Biographical Note

Charles Lukens Huston was born in Coatesville, Pennsylvania on July 8, 1856, the second son of Dr. Charles Huston (1822-1897) and Isabella Pennock Huston (1822-1889). His maternal grandmother, Rebecca Webb (Pennock) Lukens (1794-1854) had inherited the Brandywine Iron Works & Nail Factory founded by her father Isaac Pennock in 1810. After Rebecca Lukens' death the elder Huston assumed control as Huston, Penrose & Company.

Charles L. Huston entered the family business as a bookkeeper in 1875. He was put in charge of the puddling mill in 1879, the plate mills in 1882 and the Open Hearth Department in 1891. He became a partner in 1879, and the firm was restyled Charles Huston & Sons in 1881. Upon incorporation as the Lukens Iron & Steel Company in 1890, C.L. Huston became second vice president. At his father's death, his brother Abram Francis Huston (1852-1930) became president and C.L. Huston vice president and works manager. Both brothers retired in 1925.

Charles L. Huston took an active part in religious and civic affairs. He was Director of the Poor for Chester County from 1907 to 1940, in which capacity he was greatly involved in the work of the Chester County Home and Hospital for the Insane. He was involved for most of his life in the Young Men's Christian Association and in the organization of the Presbyterian Church. He was a member of the National Association of Evangelicals, vice president of the World's Christian Fundamentals Association (1920-46) and a strong supporter of the Church's foreign missionary work and the Prohibition movement. He died at Coatesville, Pennsylvania on March 14, 1951.

Scope and Content

Consists of Huston's personal papers and Lukens Steel business records.

Location of Originals

The original manuscript for Rebecca Webb (Pennock) Lukens autobiography is located in the Lukens Steel Records (Accession 050). A transcript of the autobiography is also available in Box 3 of the Huston Family papers (Accession 1441).

Related Material

Lukens Steel records (Accession 050), Manuscripts and Archives Department, Hagley Museum and Library

Huston Family papers (Accession 1441), Manuscripts and Archives Department, Hagley Museum and Library

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Provenance

Huston's son, Stewart Huston, made the initial deposit in 1969 but after his death in 1971, his widow, Harriet C. Huston, continued to made subsequent deposits in 1974, 1976 and 1980. After the 1980 deposit, Ms. Huston formally gifted the entire group of papers to Hagley.

Separated Material

Materials formerly in Series II: Charles Lukens Huston, Subseries D: Professional Activities, have been transferred to Accession 50, Lukens Steel Company records.

Materials formerly in Series III: Lukens Steel Company (LSC), have been transferred to Accession 50, Lukens Steel Company records.

Related Names

Subject

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title:
Charles Lukens Huston papers
Description rules:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description:
English
Script of description:
Latin

Repository Details

Repository Details

Part of the Manuscripts and Archives Repository

Contact:
PO Box 3630
Wilmington Delaware 19807 USA
302-658-2400