Current Displays at the Hamilton Public Library
William Eli Sanford, 1834-1899
As a child, and upon the death of his father, William Eli Sanford moved to Hamilton to live with an uncle. At sixteen years of age, he began his career as a clerk in the book and publishing business and eventually worked in the wool business. Sanford became part of the clothing firm Sanford, McInnis and Company and when his partner retired went on to found the W.E. Sanford Co. Ltd. which employed 2,000 workers and had branches in Winnipeg, Toronto and Victor, B.C. Sanford's home at the corner of Jackson and Caroline streets was a large mansion known as "Wesanford". A member of the Conservative party and friend to Sir John A. Macdonald, William Eli Sanford was appointed Senator in 1887 and served in that capacity until his accidental drowning in Muskoka Lake on July 10, 1899. Sanford Avenue in Hamilton was named in his honour.
