Henry the Younger of Stolberg was the son of Count Henry IX of Stolberg and his first wife Matilda, the daughter of the Count Volrad of Mansfeld.
His father send his brother Bodo to southern Germany in his early childhood.
Henry the Younger, on the other hand, was participating in government business from 1489 onwards.
Henry the Younger had been in the service of Elector Frederick III of Saxony since 1491.
On 14 April 1506, Duke George of Saxony appointed him stadtholder of Friesland.