Henry Rumrill was born in Windsor, Vermont in 1805. A man of many interests, he eventually determined to use his mechanical talents to become a mason. In 1835, he came to Buffalo at the invitation of developer Benjamin Rathbun. When Rathbun's fortunes declined, Rumrill stayed in Buffalo, deciding that the young city had a great future.

He became a contractor and eventually enjoyed a forty-seven year career in constructing buildings, inlcuding the Church of the Messiah (twice), Westminster, Asbury, St. Michael's, Free Will Baptist, Church of the Ascension, St.Paul, the Normal School, Central High School and many public schools, the Erie County Savings Bank, Western Savings Bank, Bank of Attica building, Young Men's Association building, St. James Hall, the Fitch Insitute, the Genesee Hotel, American Block, Arcade Block, Richmond Block, Miller and Greiner Block, Glenny building, Dr. Pierce's Infirmary and Factory, General Hospital, Buffalo Orphan Asylum, Erie County Penitentiary, depots, elevators, market-houses, packing-houses, malthouses, gas-works, sugar-works, engine-houses, warehouses, factories, stores, etc. He also constructed residences on all the major streets.

He had a reputation as an honest businessman and philanthropic citizen. He had four children, one of whom was Henry Rumrill, Jr. who lived in the Miller home at 535 Franklin Street.

Perry Smith wrote in his history of Buffalo, "...as a neighbor and one who has known his longest and most intimately, recently expresses himself - 'Henry Rumrill is a rare man.'"