William Eli Sanford (September 16, 1838 – July 10, 1899) was a Canadian businessman, philanthropist, and politician.

The Hon.
William Eli Sanford
Senator for Hamilton, Ontario
In office
February 8, 1887 – July 10, 1899
Appointed byJohn A. Macdonald
Personal details
Born(1838-09-16)September 16, 1838
New York City, New York, United States
DiedJuly 10, 1899(1899-07-10) (aged 60)
Lake Rosseau, Ontario, Canada
Resting placeHamilton Cemetery
Political partyConservative
Spouse(s)Emmeline (Jackson) Sanford, Harriet Sophie (Vaux) Sanford
ChildrenEdward Jackson Sanford, Harry Vaux Sanford, Edna Blanche (Sanford) Tudor, Emma Muriel (Sanford) Henderson

Born in New York City, he was orphaned before his seventh birthday and then moved to Hamilton, Canada West, to live with his paternal aunt.

In 1887, he was summoned to the Canadian Senate. A Conservative, he represented the senatorial division of Hamilton, Ontario.

He drowned in 1899 in Lake Rosseau, Ontario. He is interred in the Sanford Family vault in Hamilton Cemetery.

Resting place of William Eli Sanford.
edit
  • William Eli Sanford – Parliament of Canada biography
  • Hanlon, Peter (1990). "Sanford, William Eli". In Halpenny, Francess G (ed.). Dictionary of Canadian Biography. Vol. XII (1891–1900) (online ed.). University of Toronto Press.
  • William Eli Sanford at Find a Grave