Son of Charles Brett and Harriet Henriette Schrader Skidmore

Henry was baptized in 1850 and remained a faithful, active member until his death at the age of 87 years. He was a branch president in Philadelphia, and first counselor in the bishopric in East Mill Creek Ward where he served for 33 years. He was a captain in the Utah Militia during the Black Hawk Indian War.
Henry was a skilled lawmaker in Philadelpha and brought his skills with him to the Valley. The men in the family for generations back were known as "scissor smiths" and belonged to the Scissor Smith Guild. A boy was apprenticed to the guild to learn the trade when he was about eight year old. It is probable that he atteneded the public schools until he was about 11 years old and then it became neccessary for him to help support his parents and their children. He worked for a firm of saw makers. In 1840, he set up his own shop.
Rachel died of smallpox and Henry was devastated and was going to turn to alcohol, but he had a dream in which Rachel told him to remarry and go to Utah. Henry did a lot of missionary work during his time. After his marriage to Sarah Ann, they decided to go west and made the preparations. Henry, his wife, and Rachel's baby, together with his mother and two borthers and a sister, made the preparations and left in May 1855.
Upon reaching Salt Lake, Henry found that the money he had brought with him meant little as there was not much to buy in the city. He found a home with one room upstairs and one down. Later, he used it for his saw shop.
He was part of the Utah Militia that went to Echo Canyon to stop the progress of Johnston's Army. About 1859 Henry moved to East Mill Creek where he went into the saw mill business. His girls had to help with the saw mill because he had no older boys.
Henry had a beautiful garden and raised fruit trees of all kinds, and grapes. There were vegatables, all of which were sold to make money.
After the death of Sarah Ann, Henry moved to Richmond to live with his eldest daughter, Harriet until his death at the age of 87 years. He was five feet seven, weighed 171 lbs, had a sandy complexion, blue eyes , and light brown hair.