Henry Colt, only child of Henry and Elizabeth (Sax) Colt, was born in Luzerne County, Sept. 15, 1822. His paternal ancestors came from England and settled in Windom County, Conn. His grandfather, Arnold Colt. married a Miss Yarrington and became one of the prominent citizens of Wilkes-Barre. Henry Colt was educated in the select and high schools of Wilkes-Barre and studied languages and engineering under a graduate of Princeton, becoming particularly proficient in Latin and Greek. He taught school several years and assisted his father in civil engineering, and upon his death in 1851 was appointed to fill the unexpired term as county surveyor, and was subsequently twice elected to the office.

He married, Dec. 8, 1856, Margaret B., daughter of Silas and Margaret Jackson, who died April 23, 1869.

In 1859 Mr. Colt removed to Allentown and engaged in the lumber, bark and coal business. His lumberyard was completely swept away in the flood of June 5, 1862, after which he assisted in surveying the line of the Lehigh & Susquehanna R. R. from Penobscot to Wilkes-Barre. In 1864, he resumed the lumber business and sold out in 1874 to the Heilman Boiler Works.

Years ago, he purchased an old church property at Ninth and Linden streets, which he improved and where he resided many years, subsequently erecting modern dwellings on the site. He was a Democrat in politics and a member of the Episcopal Church. He died in Allentown. May 4. 1908, and was buried in Hollenbeck cemetery. Wilkes-Barre.