W. H. Banfield, Machinist and Die Maker, 90 York Street.—Representative in his line, and a prominent and respected member of manufacturing circles in the Dominion, is Mr. W. H. Banfield, the die maker and machinist. He was born in the city of Quebec in 1844. In every feature of the business he excels, and has achieved an enviable reputation. While in Quebec he occupied the position of foreman of the North Shore Railway shops while under construction, and left there to fill the position of superintendent of repairs in harbor works. The duties of both these trusts he faithfully discharged. After he came to Toronto he was also the special commissioner appointed by the Australian Government to inspect the cars built under contract by the Ontario Car Co., of London, Ont., which gave every satisfaction, the Government of Australia testifying in a marked manner their thorough appreciation of Mr. Banfield's services. Eventually he left Quebec to become foreman die maker for the Dominion Tin Works, resigning this position to commence business on his own account some five years ago. Starting on a comparatively small scale, having a limited capital, by skill, energy and experience, he has made rapid progress. First located on Front Street East, he subsequently removed to 90 York Street, but the steady growth of his trade has compelled fresh enlargements, and Mr. Banfield has just completed the erection of a new factory on Wellington Street, which he now occupies. His old shop was 20x30 feet,' his new one will be 45x60 in dimensions, with two flats; he has also leased another large factory, which he is at present running in conjunction with his own. He employed but six in the old premises; in his new factory he gives employment to 25 men, and has erected a splendid engine of 40 horse power and a boiler of 45 horse power. Here he has all the latest improved machinery, including the new rope transmission, and is prepared to promptly fill all orders for the cutting of every description of dies of the highest artistic excellence, and durable to a degree unrivalled elsewhere; foot power and drop presses, combination and cutting dies, jewellers' mills and rolls, can-makers' supplies, tinsmiths' tools, knitting machines, etc., are made and repaired in the best style, and those of his design and manufacture are in use all over the Dominion and the United States, Mr. Banfield shipping presses as far West as Kansas, and is filling orders for presses, etc., from Boston. He has now a large order for the famous Kirkwood Grate Bar, and is placing them under the whole of Gooderham & Worts' boilers. Among his inventions should be noted the Improved No. 2 Drill, double geared and specially adapted for heavy drilling. Wherever he has exhibited, Mr. Banfield has carried off the honors, notably among which were the Bronze Medal and two diplomas at the Toronto Exhibition in 1884, and the Silver Medal at the Toronto Exhibition of 1885. Mr. Banfield had to abandon his intention of exhibiting at the recent Exhibition, owing to his heavy contract with the Empress Sewing Machine Co., of Toronto, and the Simmonds Manufacturing Co., of New York, for the manufacture of wings, disc tins, fan ventilators, etc. Mr. Banfield has over $10,000 worth of contracts on hand at present, and has every indication of an extensive trade in the future; and with his increased facilities, is better prepared than ever to meet the wants of his growing trade.

This was an appeal by the plaintiff from the judgment of the County Court of York. The action was brought upon a promissory note for $179.32, dated the 30th of October, 1888, payable on demand, made by the defendant W. H. Banfield, to the order of his wife, the defendant E. J . Banfield, and endorsed by her in favour of the plaintiff.

After the note was given, W. H. Banfield became financially embarrassed, and, under the circumstances stated below, effected a settlement with his creditors at the rate of twenty-five cents in the dollar of their claims; the plaintiff, however, by a secret agreement, stipulating for payment of his claim in full.

The action was tried at Toronto, on the 9th of April, 1895, before His Honour Judge McDougall, and was dismissed with costs, but there were no special findings or reasons for judgment. At the trial evidence was given that at a meeting of the defendant's creditors, held on the 24th of February, 1890, a resolution was moved by the plaintiff and seconded by another creditor, in the following terms : "That Mr. Banfield be allowed a settlement at six, nine and twelve months, at the rate of twenty-five cents in the dollar, in equal payments, without interest, provided that J . A. Banfield will consent to spend one or two hours per day to look after the financial management." This was signed by the plaintiff and other creditors, including J . A. Banfield. One of the creditors added to his signature the words "so far as unsecured."

The plaintiff's account of the matter was that the defendant asked him to move this resolution, which he consented to do on receiving the former's assurance that the security he then held from Mrs. Banfield by reason of her endorsement of the note in question and of a supposed guaranty by her of the debt bearing date a few months earlier would not be affected thereby, but that he made it a condition that the debtor himself should continue to be liable to pay in full, notwithstanding the composition. He also said that he received no new guaranty from the debtor's wife.

The defendant, on the other hand, said that at the meeting of the creditors the plaintiff took him outside and told him that if he would get Mrs. Banfield to see him paid in full he would fix it with the creditors that they would accept twenty-five cents in the dollar; he would help to get a settlement, and see that the creditors would give it; that the defendant agreed to this, and that his bookkeeper then, upon being instructed, went up at once to Mrs. Banfield and procured from her the guaranty required. The document, whatever it was, appears to have been drawn by the bookkeeper, and was not seen by the defendant. Mrs. Banfield said that on the day of the creditors' meeting the bookkeeper came to the house and read a paper, and told her that if she would sign that Mr. Weese would make the settlement with the creditors satisfactory. It was to the effect that if she would sign it Mr. Weese would help her husband through. She signed the paper: "it was so that I would secure Mr. Weese, would see him paid." The paper, whatever it was, was not produced, and the bookkeeper was said to be dead. No witness in terms proved that it had been given to the plaintiff. ...

...But it does appear that at a later date, viz., in June or July, 1893, when Tew (the collector) was demanding payment of the note, some offer of payment in full of the composition was made on behalf of the debtor by a person to whom he had sold out his business and who had paid the other creditors. ...

BANFIELD, William Henry— President, W. H. Banfield & Sons, Ltd., Sheet Metal Stampings, Spun, Stamped Brass Goods, Machinery, Dies, Tools, Power Presses , Munitions, 370-386 Pape Ave,, Toronto, Ont. Born Quebec, Que,, July 7, 1843. Son of William and Elizabeth (Rickard) Banfield. Educated: Public Schools, Quebec; High Schools, Que, Apprenticed in mechanical department of the Waterworks Department, Quebec, 1858-1863; worked in the shops of Gilbert Engine Works, Montreal, 1863-1864; travelled through the United States to California, as journeyman machinist, during which time worked in the shops of the Union Pacific Railroad from Omaha to California, 1864-1870; went to Sherbrooke, Que,, 1870 and worked for the Smith Elkins Mfg. Co., returned to Quebec and took a position as foreman with the North Shore Railroad, during construction of line between Quebec and Three Rivers; left to take charge of all repairs to machinery in connection with the construction of the Louisa Dock at Quebec, 1876; came to Toronto to accept position of die-maker for the Dominion Tin Stamping Co., 1877; started business In Toronto in the name of W. H. Banfield, 1881, latterly taking two sons into the business and carrying on same under the name/ of W. H. Banfield & Sons, which firm still exists under the style and name of W. H. Banfield & Sons, Ltd., and received, orders from the former Shell Committee at Ottawa in 1914 for munitions, and was one of the first Arms In Canada to manufacture and deliver 18 Pr. High Explosive Shells; received further continuous orders from Imperial Munitions Board, Ottawa, Ont., for 18 Pr. Shrapnel Shells, Powder Cups. Cartridge Clips, Percussion Primers, Time fuse parts, and are at present manufacturing munitions employing approximately 1,500 men and women. Served as Private, No. 2 Company, Engineers, Montreal, under Captain Kennedy in the Fenian Raid, 1864-1866. for which he received a veteran's silver medal and $100.00. Married Elizabeth Jane Johnston, of Batiscan. Que., 1871; has two daughters, Mrs. A. J. Hamilton, Mrs. A. H. Field, and four sons, Rev. A. W. Banfield, E. J. Banfield, W. I. Banfield and H. S. Banfield, the latter two being associated with the present firm. Societies: Sons of England; A.O.U.W. • L.O.L. ; S.O.B.B.S. Clubs: Canadian: Empire. Recreations: Literature, the study for betterment of conditions relating to the poor. Methodist. Residence: 219 Fern Avenue, Toronto, Ont.

W. H. BANFIELD TO MAKE NEW LINES Developments decided upon by W. H. Banfield & Sons, Ltd., Toronto, include the production of phonograph motors, tone arms, reproducers and accessories, none of which have previously been manufactured in Canada. This branch of industry will take up a considerable part of their plant and equipment. This venture was decided upon over one year thought at that time that the shell orders would last for a further twenty-four months. The ending...

Edwin J. Banfield
Edwin J. Banfield, formerly of the firm of W. H. Banfield & Sons, Toronto, who are now part of the Amalgamated Electric Co., Limited, died on November 19. He was born in Sherbrooke, P.Q., in 1875, the son of W. H. Banfield, who founded the family business. He was president of the J. G. Pickering Co., Limited, and former vice-president of the...In 1919 Mr. Banfield turned the automotive end of his business over to his son, E. J. Banfield, and the McQuay- Norris ...

...The three plaintiffs and the two defendants comprise all the children of W. H. Banfield, deceased, who died on December 7, 1925, having made his will, whereby he appointed the plaintiff, Edwin J. Banfield, and the defendants executors. The father, at the time of his death, was the owner of one-third of the capital stock of W. H. Banfield & Sons Limited, a private company incorporated under the provisions of The Ontario Companies Act, and having a total issued share capital of $110,000, divided into 1,100 fully paid-up shares of $100 each. The plaintiff, Annie Field, owned five shares and the remaining shares were owned by the defendants who were also directors and officers of the company, the defendant, W. I. Banfield, being president and the defendant, H. S. Banfield, secretary-treasurer.

By his will, the father had, among other matters, provided as follows:

"I direct my executors and trustees to continue the investment of that part of my estate now invested in shares of W. H. Banfield & Sons Limited, for a period of five years from the date of my decease, and they are then to divide the said shares into seven equal parts; two of such parts to be transferred to my son, William Irwin Banfield, two of such parts to my son, Harry S. Banfield, and one of such parts to each of my children, Edwin J. Banfield, Alexander Wood Banfield and Annie Field, fractional parts of a share to be sold to the highest bidder among my children...