He was the son of Count John Günther I of Schwarzburg-Sondershausen (1532–1586), and his wife, Countess Anna (1539–1579), a daughter of Count Anthony I of Olenburg-Delmenhorst.
He was still a minor, when his father died, an so were his brothers, and they were put under the regency and guardianship of their maternal uncles John VII (1540–1603) and Anthony II (1550–1619).
During this period, Anton Henry did most of the work, especially during the inheritance dispute with the Counts of Honstein.
The county suffered badly during the Thirty Years' War.
The worst his area was around Arnstadt, where many troops were quartered.