Henry Stichel was born in Germany and immigrated to America in 1853 and became a naturalized citizen. By 1865 he was married with 2 children and lived in the Town of Palatine. By 1870 he and his family had moved to the Town of Minden where he engaged in the occupation of wagon maker. By 1880 his carriage shop was located on Canal Street in the village of Fort Plain. The 1880 census shows that his family consisted of 5 sons: Edward, Jerry, Harry, Frank and Arthur. Frank died at the age of 8. Edward moved to Buffalo, Harry moved to St. Johnsville, and Jerry stayed in Fort Plain and became a carpenter. Arthur was the only son who went into the carriage manufacture with his father but later joined his brother, Edward, in Buffalo, NY. The carriage shop was eventually sold to George Hurell, a blacksmith.