Margaret Deland

The Iron Woman Illustrated Margaret Deland

The Iron Woman is a novel of manners by the American writer Margaret Eland (1857-1945) set in the 19th century fictional locale of Mercer, an Ohio River community that represents Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The novel tells the story of Mrs. Mainland, a leathery old widow who owns and operates an iron mill. Her devotion to a Puritanical work ethic alienates her son Blair, who though he stands to inherit the business, is headstrong and in love with Elizabeth Ferguson, a match Mrs. Mainland disapproves of.