1854 Birth:1770,2655 Birth year of 1854 estimated based on age (6 years) in 1860 census enumeration; birth place of Porter Township, Noble County, Indiana based on father's residence in that location in both the 1850 and 1860 enumerations.

1860 U.S. Census:2655 Henry enumerated in the household of his father James Cannady in Perry Township, Noble County, Indiana as a male, age 6, born in Indiana, attended school within the year. Siblings residing in the household were Frances, a male age 15; Martha, age 13; Alonzo, age 10; and William, age 9. Others enumerated were Frederick Wert, age 21 and a carpenter's apprentice born in Bavaria, and his mother Caroline, age 64.

1870 U.S. Census:2642 Harrison enumerated in the household of his father James Cannady in Porter Township, Cass County, Michigan as a male, age 15, farm laborer, born in Indiana, attended school within the year. Siblings residing in the household were William J., age 19; Mary, age 9; and Lincoln H., age 6. Sister Martha resided as a separate family in the same dwelling with her husband Andrew Bunn2654 and 4 month old daughter.