Henry O'Neil Love was born in 1835 in Pickens County, Alabama, the son of John O'Neil Love (born 1804) in South Carolina and Eliza Jane McDowell Love. Henry had twin brother, William Love, born 1835.

Noted in the Alabama Surname Files Expanded 1702-19, July 1954 Quarterly, page 8.
"In the household of John O'Neil Love are twins Henry and William b. 1835, Jacob b. 1838, Andrew J. b. 1842 and David b. 1844. An adjoining family is Robert Love, born in Ireland 1775. Nearby is Robert Love, born South Carolina 1815 with wife Rebecca b. 1820 & sons Henry b. 1838 in Alabama and John b. 1848"

Henry O'Neil Love is enumerated on the 1850 US Census for Southern District, Pickens County, Alabama, in the household of parents Robert, 35 and Rebecca, 30. Henry is 12 years. Siblings: Nancy J. 11, Salana 9, Lucinda 7, Ellender 6, John 2.

Henry O'Neil Love came to Texas with his brothers, Robert Blackburn Love and William Love (twin) His mother had a bible entry saying that "the 3 brothers left for Texas, June 1856".

Henry is enumerated on the 1860 US Census for Cold Springs, Polk County, Texas. He is 25 years, an overseer working for Edward Kirksey.

The 3 Love brothers left Texas to join the Confederate Army. Twin, William (1835) was killed in the war. Robert was injured, but returned to Texas. Henry O'Neil married Julia Knox in 1868 in Alabama and later, returned to Texas.

At the outbreak of the Civil War, Henry enlisted in the First Texas Infantry which disbanded in New Orleans, Louisiana. He enlisted again on June 11, 1861, in Company H, 11th Regiment, Alabama Infantry. He served as a Private and as a Sergeant. He was captured about July 4, 1863, at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania and imprisoned at Fort McHenry, Maryland and Point Lookout, Maryland. He was transferred to City Point, Virginia on March 16, 1864 for exchange. He was surrendered by General Robert E. Lee and paroled at Appomattox Court House, Virginia on April 9, 1865.

He returned to Alabama and married Julia Knox in 1869. A son, Drue (Drew) M. Love, was born. Drury (Drue M. Love) is 7 months of age on the 1870 census in Pickens County, Alabama.

Henry O'Neil Love is enumerated on the 1870 US Census for Bridgeville, Pickens County, Alabama. Henry is 36, farmer, with wife Julia 28, Martha 24, David 27 and baby son, Druery Love, 7 months.

The family came to Texas in 1871 and located at Cold Springs, San Jacinto County where they purchased the Moses Davis Plantation.

Henry O'Neil Love was listed as a registered voter in San Jacinto County in 1873.

Henry and Julia Love had 5 children who lived to adulthood: Drue Miller, Mamie Ethel Love, John Valentine, Robert Blackburn, and Edward Wendell Love. Drue Miller Love was born in Alabama. The other 4 children were born in San Jacinto County, Texas. One child, William was born 1877, died 1880.

All of Henry's children attended college in Huntsville, Texas with Robert becoming a doctor, Edward a judge and Drue Miller a teacher, county clerk and county judge.

Henry O'Neil Love is buried in the Oakwood Cemetery in Coldsprings next to his wife Julia Knox Love.