A lifelong resident of Bangor, Henry Lord was born in that city on May 7, 1847 of parents who were old and well-established residents.
His education consisted of that offered by the public schools as well as a short stay at the Bucksport Seminary.
He read law with Peters and Wilson, the former partner becoming a future Chief Justice of the Maine Supreme Court, but his true vocation lay as a businessman and at the age of eighteen he began his career as a clerk in the office of Bangor’s most prosperous ship broker, Captain Thomas J. Stewart.
After three years with Stewart, Lord went out on his own to build up a vast and prosperous business as an owner and manger of vessel property in addition to his ship brokerage and commission merchant activities.
He became an extensive shipper of ice, lumber, hay, slate, brick and last blocks under the firm name of Henry Lord & Co., ship brokers and commission merchants.
Besides his business activities Lord was always interested in educational matters, serving as President of the Board of Trustees of the Maine State College as well as President of the Board of Westbrook Seminary.
Among his other interests could be found the art of politics. Beginning his public life in several minor offices, Lord was elected a member of the Bangor City Council in 1872 and was reelected for the succeeding three years, two of which he served as President of the Council.
In 1876 he was elected to the Maine House of Representatives and in his second term was chosen Speaker at the age of thirty.
Later he served two terms in the Maine Senate, the second of which he served as President.
Henry Lord was a successful man who seemed to be quickly selected as a leader in everything with which he became involved.