After many years of working with his uncle Gilbert Beeckamn in the firm of Bowers, Beeckamn, and Bradford, in New York, Henry moved to Chicago and worked for his brother in law at the N.K. Fairbank Company.
Being caught in a blizzard while sleighing in Chicago he sustained injuries that resulted in paralysis. Before completely recovering, Henry contracted pneumonia while in New York City and passed away February 22, 1882.