ABSTRACT
Analysis of the social origins of the 696 iron and steel manufacturers indicates that they more closely display the pattern of social continuity presented by Gregory and Neu than that of discontinuity portrayed by Josephson and Gutman. As the comparative table indicates, preceding iron and steel manufacturers generally came from socially favorable origins. The vast majority were the sons of relatively well-to-do fathers already members of the mercantile, manufacturing, or banking groups in their city. The most prestigious social clubs in Philadelphia were the Philadelphia, Rittenhouse, Racquet, Radnor Hunt, Merion Cricket, Philadelphia Cricket, and Germantown Cricket clubs. Less illustrious but still well above middle-class status were the Union League, Penn Athletic, and Philadelphia Country Clubs. Newer and smaller than either Philadelphia or Pittsburgh in the late-nineteenth century, Cleveland was a growing city with a unique population base.
