A native of Annapolis, Indiana, Henry N. Coffin became a clerk at the First National Bank in Leavenworth, Kansas, then a clerk at the First National Bank in Lawrence, Kansas. He served as assistant treasurer of the State of Kansas prior to moving to Boise in 1890. In Boise he became the cashier of the First National Bank, and he helped to organize the Boise Bank of Commerce, holding the position of cashier.[3] Coffin was elected as State Treasurer of Idaho, 1903–1904, then reelected, 1905–1906.[4]