Gary, Elbert Henry (1846-1927), was an American industrialist and lawyer who helped organize the United States Steel Corporation in 1901. He became the company’s chief executive officer and headed the firm until his death. Gary introduced safety and pension reforms for workers. His policies kept U.S. Steel intact at a time when the United States government was breaking up large industrial firms for using unfair business practices. Gary, Indiana, a center of steel production established by U.S. Steel in 1906, is named for him.
Gary was born on Oct. 8, 1846, near Wheaton, Illinois. He graduated from Union College of Law and was soon practicing corporate law. He later became a county judge in Illinois and in 1898 helped form the Federal Steel Company. He died on Aug. 15, 1927.
