Abram Francis Huston was born to Dr. Charles Huston and Isabella Lukens Huston in 1855. "A.F.," as he was commonly distinguished, was three years older than his brother "C.L.".

A.F. graduated from Haverford College in 1876 and entered the firm as a clerk.

Abram was sent to Europe to visit various mills there. A.F. was introduced to the management of the firm in the late 1870s. Charles Penrose died in 1881, and that same year Dr. Huston's health declined, forcing him to leave daily management of the firm. This placed more responsibility with his two sons.

A.F. Huston became a junior partner of the company with his father, Dr. Charles Huston.

He became vice president in 1890 when the company shifted from a family business to a stock company. He was then elected president in 1897 when his father, Dr. Huston, died. Following the traditions set before him, A.F. pursued a policy of cautious expansion, cultivation of known markets, and scrupulous care for the firm's reputation. He held the position of president for twenty-eight years, until 1925, where he was then chosen as the first Chairman of the Board.