Henry Reynolds was born in Winston-Salem on January 13, 1877. He attended the University of North Carolina, where he edited the student newspaper. After studying law at Columbia University, he moved to North Wilkesboro in 1907, where he practiced law and worked as editor of the Wilkes Journal-Patriot. He also served on the Wilkes County board of commissioners and as the postmaster of North Wilkesboro from 1922 to 1928. From 1933 to 1956, he served as a clerk under Judge Johnson J. Hayes of the Middle District of North Carolina. He died in Greensboro on July 2, 1960.