Samuel Benfield Steele was born at Purbrook, Medonte, County Simcoe, Ontario on 5 January 1848 to Captain Elmes Steele and Anne MacIan Macdonald. His father served under Nelson and other Admirals in the Napoleonic Wars, moving to Canada in 1832, with his first wife and family. After the death of his first wife, Captain Steele married Sam's mother, and they had six children, Sam being the eldest.
Published
General Correspondence – Colonel Steele’s outgoing general typewritten correspondence, written on a variety of matters, and incoming personal letters; including letters from Vivian Bartram; Lillie Davis; and Margaret Trimble. Handwritten; Typewritten.