Henry Marvin was born into a family with great ambitions and aspirations. His grandfather was an important character in the Revolutionary War, and his father owned much land in Webbs Mills, New York. His nephew was Ross Marvin, who died at the North Pole while with the Peary Expedition. His great-grand-nephew was Hollywood actor Lee Marvin. In 1873 Henry was 18 years old and he had to figure things out for himself.