 When Stiles was but five years of age, his father lost his property, and the son was thus deprived of the educational facilities and other opportunities enjoyed by most boys his age.The inventive genius and mechanical taste were early developed in the lad, and when but ten years of age he had thoroughly investigates the "true inwardness" of a clock, by taking it apart and putting it together again, leaving it in good running order.When he was but 12 years of age he built an ell to his father's house, doing all the work alone, including the painting.