Issued to Charles M. Schwab - United States Steel Corporation $5,000 Gold Bond - 1902 dated Gray Color Steel Bond

Charles Michael Schwab (February 18, 1862 – September 18, 1939) was a prominent American steel industrialist. Under his guidance, Bethlehem Steel emerged as the second-largest steel producer in the United States and became one of the leading heavy manufacturers globally. Schwab was born in Williamsburg, Pennsylvania, to Pauline (née Farabaugh) and John Anthony Schwab, both of whom were descendants of Roman Catholic immigrants from Germany. He grew up in Loretto, Pennsylvania, which he regarded as his hometown, where his father operated a livery stable and worked as a mail carrier. Schwab completed his education at Saint Francis College in Loretto in 1877.

He commenced his professional journey as an engineer at Andrew Carnegie's steelworks, initially serving as a stake-driver in the engineering corps at the Edgar Thomson Steel Works and Furnaces in Braddock, Pennsylvania. His career progressed rapidly, leading to his appointment as general superintendent of Homestead Works in 1887 and later as general superintendent of the Edgar Thomson Steel Works in 1890. By the age of 35, in 1897, he ascended to the presidency of the Carnegie Steel Company. In 1901, Schwab played a pivotal role in negotiating the confidential sale of Carnegie Steel to a consortium of financiers from New York City, spearheaded by J. P. Morgan. Following this acquisition, he became the inaugural president of the United States Steel Corporation, which was established from Carnegie's previous assets.