Henry W. Barber was born on February 7, 1828 in Leicester, Livingston County, New York. He was the second child of Isaac Barber and Lucy Houghton. His mother died in 1835 and his father in 1843, leaving him an orphan at 15 years old. He completed his education in Westfield, New York, where he met Cecelia Ann Dickson. From 1850-1854, he was deeded 280 acres of land in La Crosse County and 80 acres of land in Brown County, WI. It is unknown when these land sales took place. In 1855 Barber purchased two patents for land in Pepin County, WI (then part of Dunn County). He settled on the 155 acres of one of the patents on Dead Lake Prairie and started making improvements. He later purchased an additional 74 acres adjoining his homestead. He returned to Westfield, New York and married Cecelia Ann Dickson on November 25, 1857. They returned to Wisconsin, building one of the first frame houses of the prairie in 1858. He was very active in local politics and served on the school board, was a chairman on the county board, register of deeds and clerk of court until his death on January 12, 1899.