ɹˈeɪzd ɪn nˈuː jˈɔːɹk sˈɪɾi, kˈænfiːld ɐtˈɛndᵻd wˈɪljəmz kˈɑːlɪdʒ ænd ɹˈiːd lˈɔː ɪn dʒˈæksən, mˈɪʃɪɡən, bᵻfˌoːɹ bɹˈiːfli pɹˈæktɪsɪŋ ɪn sənt. dʒˈoʊsəf, mˈɪʃɪɡən.
Raised in New York City, Canfield attended Williams College and read law in Jackson, Michigan, before briefly practicing in St. Joseph, Michigan.