He was the son of Colonel Charles Lee Younger and Sarah Sullivan Purcell and married Bersheba Leighton Fristoe in about 1830.

On July 20, 1862 Henry was traveling to Kansas City on a business trip while carrying $1,500 (~$45,780 in 2023) on his person.

About one mile south of Westport he was shot three times in the back and killed.

The body was returned to the Youngers who, afraid Union servicemen would dig it up, buried him in an unknown grave.

Humphrey Younger immigrated to Kent County, Maryland and his descendants included the Younger brothers Cole, John, Jim, and Bob who rode with the outlaw Jesse James.