Henry H. Vail was born in Rutland County, Vermont, November 9, 1821 and was reared in agricultural pursuits, his younger days having been spent assisting his father on the farm. He attended the district schools in the winter, after which he attended three terms at Troy Conference Academy at West Poultney, and one term at Casselton Academy. At 17 years of age he commenced teaching and was employed teaching winters and farming the remainder of the year for several years. He was married in 1842 to Martha Wait, also a native of Rutland County. She died in 1853. Two years later he immigrated to Illinois and spent two years at Marengo, McHenry County, then came to Mower County and settled in the town of Windom.

His second wife, to who he was married in March, 1859 was Mary W. Vandegrift. She was born in Philadelphia. Eleven children have been born to them, of whom ten are now living, named; Anna, William M., Charles W., Carrie, John M., Maggie, Isabella, Mary, Moses F., and Hattie C.

History of Mower County 1884

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Submitted to MnGenWeb by Kathy Pike, Jan. 8, 2007