The history of the American iron and steel industry was shaped by the personalities involved in the founding of the industry. Isaac Pennock founded the Brandywine Iron Works and Nail Factory in the early 19th century, reasoning that the area, located along the Brandywine, had the right run and depth to power a mill. The company would eventually expand to become Lukens Inc. Pennock's son-in-law, Dr. Charles Lukens, a physician by training, gave up his medical practice to partner with his father-in-law in the iron business. Dr. Lukens' successful foray into iron plate production passed to his wife after his untimely death at the age of 39. Rebecca Lukens, a young mother, demonstrated the foresight to eventually modernize the mill and make it capable of responding to the demands of the industrial revolution. She rebuilt and expanded the mill through the 1820s and 30s and became the nation's first female industrialist. |
The Family |
Family Tree | |||
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Isaac
Pennock
grew up in a time period where men were content with farming their
lands. Joseph Pennock, Jr., Isaac's father was one of them. |
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diverse writings reveal Rebecca Lukens
not only as an astute business manager, but also a devout Quaker,
eager student, fond wife and mother, grieving widow and wise grandmother. more . . . |
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Dr.
Charles Lukens was a descendent of Jan Lucken, who founded Germantown, Pennsylvania, in 1682. Jan was one of 13 Dutch/German Mennonites from the Paletine region of Germany near the Rhine.
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Martha & Abraham Gibbons Martha Lukens Gibbons was the oldest of Rebecca's children. |
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Isabella Pennock Lukens was the fifth child born to Rebecca Lukens. more . . .
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Dr. Charles Huston Charles Huston was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Dr. Robert Mendenhall Huston and Hannah West Huston, on July 23, 1822. Dr. Robert Huston was a member of the faculty of Jefferson medical College in Philadelphia and helped organize the Philadelphia Gas Works. more . . .
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Charles Penrose The Penrose family of Philadelphia were socially prominent and were High Church protestant Episcopalian. more . . . |
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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.". more
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Charles
Lukens Huston, Sr. He was one of the sons of Dr. Charles
Huston and Isabella Pennock and the brother of A.F. Huston. more
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Robert
Wolcott Robert Wolcott started the next "chapter" in the family succession in the Lukens business. more
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Stewart Huston was an executive
of Lukens Steel Company located in Coatesville, Chester County,
Pennsylvania, and was active in many local community organizations. more . . . |
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Charles Lukens Huston, Jr. The son of Charles Lukens Huston, Sr. and Annie Stewart Huston graduated from Princeton University in 1928 where he majored in Personnel Management, as well as played the trumpet and played in the Princeton Band. more . . .
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The Steel Workers |
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| In addition to the company's founding members, the countless men and women who were involved in the day-to- day operations of the mill are a prime factor in the company's success. more . . . |  |
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