Henry D. Hatfield graduated from the University of Louisville and began his career as a physician for the Pocahontas Fuel Company and surgeon for the Norfolk and Western Railway. He held various public service positions, including health commissioner and road commissioner, before serving in the West Virginia Senate and as its president. Hatfield's tenure as governor was marked by significant labor reforms, including settling a major strike and signing the state's first Workers' compensation law. He also served in the United States Army Medical Corps during World War I and later in the United States Senate, where he focused on immigration issues.

Henry D. Hatfield's political career reveals a complex blend of progressive labor policies and fiscal conservatism. His establishment of West Virginia's first Workers' compensation program contrasts with his tax increases during his governorship, showcasing a nuanced approach to economic reform. Hatfield's handling of the Paint Creek–Cabin Creek strike, where he pardoned labor leaders while also imposing martial law, highlights a strategic balancing act between labor rights and state authority. His military service and immigration committee membership further underscore a multifaceted ideological stance that merits deeper exploration.