Henry was born in Northwest Iowa, Doon of Lyon County. He was the third of nine children, eight boys and one girl. His father and mother were Dutch immigrants, speaking Dutch in the home. Henry grew up with a love for farming. He had a sixth grade education. He moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1924 along with his parents and siblings. One brother Joe, who retained the original spelling of the family name, Vredeveld, remained in Iowa. Henry returned there in 1925 to farm with his brother Joe, but it was too hard to make a living so he returned to factory life in Grand Rapids the following year. Henry worked piecemeal as an upholsterer at the Grand Rapids Chair Company. While employed at the factory her saw fellow worker, Blanch Saurman, a seamstress, on another floor. Spotting her at the Reeds Lake Dancehall pavilion he began a friendship. Blanch's parents were very much opposed to her marrying a "Dutchman." With few funds they eloped in Elkhart, Indiana, February 2, 1928. Eighteen months later a son, Gerald Henry was born. Soon after the Great Depression began. A daughter Janet Arlene followed in 1932. After marriage Henry blossomed in his spiritual faith he was raised in. Henry loved to talk about the things of God and his faith in Christ. In the 1940s they often went camping with friends. His dream of returning to farming happened with the purchase of a Jenison farm. Farming with horses was difficult and when a cattle disease struck it was too much to bear and the farm was sold. Henry and family moved back to Grand Rapids where he continued in the upholstery trade. In the 1950s, Henry and Blanch had their own furniture and upholstery shop on Porter Street in Wyoming. The farm dream continued to linger and in 1964 Henry bought a 100 acre farm on Patterson Avenue between Wayland and Middleville. Now he was first a farmer, but continued to reupholster and sell furniture out of his pole barn until his 80s. Henry was a shrewd investor, owning duplexes and utility stock. He was very frugal and achieved great financial independence for his hard work and wise investing. He loved to fish and enjoyed a pleasant sense of humor. When he could no longer manage a tractor he and Blanch moved back to Wyoming to be closer to family. This was difficult for Henry as he loved the country. After a year of city life he suffered a series of mini strokes and eventually was moved to a nursing home in Grandville, where he passed away at age 88 in 1992.