Henry Simon born around 1812 in Bordeaux, France, to Pierre and Emily Simon. The family immigrated to America around 1815 and settled in New York City. He grew up and attended school there, and he married Catherine Roux there on October 22, 1841. They had at least ten children: Angelina, born around 1843; Elizabeth, born around 1846; Margaret, born on September 13, 1847; Louise, born on May 5, 1849; Ernest, born around 1850; Adelson, born on July 20, 1851; Frank, born on February 6, 1857; Robert, born on November 6, 1859; George, born on August 26, 1860; and Caroline, born on May 27, 1862. They moved to Providence, Rhode Island, in the 1840s, and Simon worked as a jeweler. By 1860, he owned $6,400 of real estate.
In October 1861, he received a commission as a captain in Company C of the 4th Rhode Island Infantry. The regiment took part in the Battle of Roanoke Island, the Battle of New Bern, and the siege of Fort Macon. He resigned on August 11, 1862.
He returned to the Union army in September 1863, receiving a commission as a captain in Company B of the 14th Rhode Island Colored Heavy Artillery. The regiment was later redesignated the 11th USCT Heavy Artillery. His health deteriorated by August 1864, and several of his children urged him to resign and return home. He apparently chose to remain in the army, and he died of “malarial typhus fever” in New Orleans, Louisiana, on October 6, 1864. Among his personal effects at the time of his death were “Three Photographs in cases” and “Three packages of letters, (personal).”