John Walter Staniforth was born in Sheffield in about 1834.  Apparently, he was the son of solicitor John Staniforth, who in 1841 was living with his wife Elizabeth in Crookesmoor.  His first business venture appears to have been in the 1850s, when he was a partner in the hardware firm of Arthur Linley & Co (see Parker & Linley).  After this ended in 1857, John W. Staniforth had launched a career as a hardware merchant.  His business was listed as John Walter Staniforth & Co, general merchant, Arundel Street and Birmingham.  He was also an insurance agent by 1876.  By 1881, he had retired and subsequently lived on his own means.  John W. Staniforth, Fairholme, Oakholme Road, died on 15 September 1904.  He was aged 70 and was buried in the General Cemetery.  He left £27,773.