Henry George Stebbins was born in Ridgefield, Connecticut, on 15th September, 1811. He moved to New York where he found work in banking. During the American Civil War he joined the Union Army and served as a colonel in the 12th New York Regiment.

A member of the Democratic Party, Stebbins was elected to the 38th Congress and served from 4th March, 1863 until his resignation on 24th October, 1864. He returned to banking and eventually became president of the New York Stock Exchange. Stebbins died on 9th December, 1881.