Henry Florence was born 11 Apr 1840 in New Catton, Norwich, England, to Samuel Florence and Susan (Waller) Florence. Henry was the 8th of 9 children: Ann Florence, 1821; William Florence, 1822; John Florence, 1824; James Florence, 1826; Mary Ann Florence, 1828; Susanah Florence, 1831; Samuel Florence, 1839; Harriet Florence, 23 Feb 1842.

Henry joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in England. Disowned by his family for joining the church and only 18 years old, he took a sailing ship with other new members of the church for America. After arriving at Florence, Nebraska (Winter Quarters), he departed for Salt Lake 7-10 Jun 1859 as a member of the George Rowley Company. This company was the 8th handcart company to cross the plains. There were 235 individuals, 60 handcarts, and 8 wagons in the company. They arrived in Salt Lake Valley 4-6 September 1859.

Henry use to tease his grandchildren when he related the story, how he "walked BAREFOOT all the way, and the blood ran out of the toes of his SHOES!" He worked for farmers a year or two, met and married Sarah Jane Taylor, 13 Nov 1861, where they lived in desolate Rush Valley, Tooele county. Henry and Sarah and their three daughters then moved to Porterville, Utah in 1866 to buy acreage from the Union Pacific Railroad, which included the hilltop where several burials had been made. Henry continued to allow burials and he acted as sexton. In 1911 he deeded the two-acre plot to the Porterville Ward, which became the Porterville Cemetery.

Henry and Sarah had 14 children: Harriet Emily Florence, 30 Sep 1862; Caroline Elizabeth Florence, 7 Nov 1863; Sarah Ann Florence, 18 May 1865; Joseph Henry Florence, 9 May 1867; William Thomas Florence, 2 Jul 1869; Samuel Stephen Florence, 8 May 1871; Mary Ellen Florence, 10 Mar 1873; James Florence, 2 Jan 1875; George Waller Florence, 3 Jun 1877; Margaret Belle Florence, 18 Apr 1879; Susan Lette Florence, 6 Apr 1881; John Andrew Florence, 10 Jan 1884; Fredrick Arthur Florence, 16 Apr 1886; Harvey Kelley Florence, 25 Feb 1888.

Henry died, 10 Jan 1925, in Salt Lake City and was buried 13 Jan 1925 in the Porterville Cemetery next to his wife Sarah. She had died 16 years earlier.