Henry Minett was born in Louisville, Kentucky and entered the United States Naval Academy shortly after his 16th birthday, on June 8, 1872.

In his early naval career, he was assigned first to USS Swatara, sailing as part of the North Atlantic Squadron.

On his return to the United States, Minett served on board USS Vermont in New York Harbor.

In his first months in command, Minett and Viking patrolled the waters near Sandy Hook, New Jersey to prevent Spanish attacks on New York.

Following the war, Minett was reassigned first to Yorktown, then to Adams where he was promoted to lieutenant commander, and subsequently made the executive officer of Concord.

Minett's arrival in Seattle on July 17, 1901, was reported in newspapers across the country and the Navy Department immediately launched an investigation into the violation of orders.

[12] Near the end of Colombia's Thousand Days War, in November 1901, Concord and Iowa were sent south to protect American interests.

To reclaim the railroad, Minett launched trains under guard from Panama City, each sporting two American flags.

On January 16, 1903, Minett was acting-governor when the formal reply to the deed of secession arrived from President Theodore Roosevelt.

A full military ceremony was held where Minett presented each of the tribal chiefs who had signed the deed with an engraved silver watch and chain.