Stickley, Gustav, 1858-1942

Gustav Stickley was a cabinetmaker and architect; he created Craftsman furniture and was a leader of the Arts and Crafts movement in America.

Born on March 9, 1857 in Osceola, Wi., he was the oldest of Leopold and Barbara Stoeckel's eleven children. He was apprenticed as a stonemason at the age of 12. A few years later, his father ran of, leaving Gustav responsible for supporting his family and forcing him to drop out of school in the 8th grade. When he was 16, his family moved to Brandt, Pa. where his mother's brother owned a furniture factory. Gustav was employed there and by the time he was 21, he was manager and forman of the Brandt Chair Company. On September 12, 1883 he married Eda Simmons.

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