William Henry Carlisle was born in Sheffield on 20 April 1833, the son of John and Harriet Carlisle.  His father was an ivory cutter.  In the 1850s, William formed Carlisle Bros, with his brother, Charles George.  In 1881, he lived in Ashdell Road, next door to Sheffield steel maker, Robert Hadfield.  He told the Census that the firm employed seven men, seven girls, and a woman.  During the 1880s, he launched his own ivory business in Little Pond Street.  By 1893, he was based at Congo Ivory Works, Trippet Lane.   He brought his sons – Frederick William (1859-1905) and Frank Jessop (1870-1935) – into the firm.  The latter withdrew from the partnership in 1903, leaving his father and brother to continue W. H. Carlisle & Sons.  Frederick William Carlisle, of Northumberland Avenue,  died on 3 November 1905, leaving £1,567.  His father died on 18 May 1917, aged 84, leaving £22,870.   F. J. Carlisle resumed operating as an ivory cutter and dealer, using his own name from Trippet Lane.   He lived at Parkhead Crescent and died suddenly on 10 August 1935.  His estate was £31,169.