He was born in Montreal to Irish Catholic parents Charles Friel and Cecila Brennan on 15 April 1823.

[10] The board, with the aim of avoiding unnecessary expense, originally concluded that there was no need for a salaried police force in the city.

In 1868, while mayor, Friel posted a proclamation announcing a $2,000 reward for information leading to the conviction of the assassin of Thomas D'Arcy McGee.

Friel's brother-in-law, Roderick Edward O'Connor, who was originally a partner in the Union, also published the Ottawa Tribune, a Catholic newspaper, from this office from the early 1860s until 1865.

[5][20] Friel sold the Union in 1866 to George Cotton, who operated a rival paper, the Ottawa Times.

[22] His mother may have died about a year later, as a sermon about Henry's life, delivered after his death, stated that he had been orphaned at the age of ten.

[24][25] Based on baptismal and burial records, Henry and Mary Ann had at least 14 children together, but most died in infancy or early childhood.

Flags on all public buildings were flown at half-mast until after his funeral, which was held on 19 May 1869 in Notre-Dame Cathedral (Ottawa).

Sir John A. Macdonald, who seconded the motion, noted that "from the high esteem in which the mayor of the city, Mr. Friel, was held, many members were anxious to attend the funeral.

[38] His gravestone, now in Notre Dame Cemetery, reads: One of Ottawa's best friendsand most active public men.Who in the bloom of manhoodand while in the dischargeof his duties, as mayor ofthe city, was stricken downby sickness and died May 16th1869, aged 45 years.His unexpected death cast agloom on the whole city.