The firm of Henry D. Stover and James W. Bicknell was in business 1856 through 1859. They made a double-spindle shaper the two men had patented in 1856. In 1859, Messrs. Stover and Bicknell moved to New York and established Stover Machine Co., with Stover as president and Bicknell as superintendent. Bicknell later received patents related to paper-making machinery.
Information Sources
- Thanks to Ben Campbell for posting an ad from an 1856 business directory that shows this company's highly graphic double-spindle shaper. The base of the machine is clearly labeled with the 1856 patent date and this company's name. But the ad is actually for Eagle Machine Works of Richmond, VA. It is possible that Eagle made the machine under contract to Stover & Bicknell.
- Patent information provides key dates and the names of the partners.