Samuel Dibble was born in Charleston, South Carolina, the oldest son of Philander Virgil (1808-1883) and Frances Ann (Evans) Dibble (1815-1891). Philander and his brother Andrew Dibble (1800-1846) moved from Bethel, Connecticut, to Charleston engaging in business together as hatters. Ann Evans was a descendant of the Gabeau family of French Huguenots and the Henley family of England. Dibble is a direct descendant of Thomas Dibble who came from England to Dorchester, Massachusetts, in 1630 as part of the Puritan migration to New England (1620–1640) and in 1635, Thomas Dibble was one of the founders of Windsor, Connecticut.
Young Dibble pursued an academic course in Bethel, Connecticut (his father's birthplace), and Charleston, South Carolina.
College and law school years
Starting in 1853, Dibble attended the College of Charleston for two years, and graduated A. B. from Wofford College, Spartanburg, South Carolina, in July, 1856, under the presidency of Rev. William M. Wightman, being the first graduate of that institution. While at Wofford, Dibble was a member of the Calhoun Literary Society. Dibble later received the degree LL. D. from his alma mater.
After graduating he taught at Shilow Academy and Pine Grove Academy in Orangeburg District from 1856 to 1857 and was assistant teacher of the preparatory department of Wofford College in the spring of 1858. Dibble also studied law between 1858 and 1859 under Jefferson Choice of Spartanburg, and Lesesne and Wilkins of Charleston, and was admitted as an attorney of law in December, 1859, and as a solicitor in equity in 1865 having studied equity under Hon. Charles H. Simonton. In January, 1860, he began his practice of law in Orangeburg, South Carolina.
He served in the Confederate States Army throughout the Civil War.
He resumed the practice of law in Orangeburg, South Carolina and also edited the Orangeburg News.
Military service
On January 3, 1861, Samuel Dibble volunteered as a private in the Edisto Rifles in Col. Johnson Hagood's First Regiment of South Carolina Volunteers later attaining the rank of first lieutenant. The company later became a part of the Eutaw Regiment, Twenty-Fifth South Carolina Volunteers under Col. Charles H. Simonton, a part of Hagood's Brigade, Hokes' Division of the Army of Northern Virginia. He was also a lieutenant of Wade Hampton III.
Politics
Samuel Dibble family of Orangeburg, South Carolina c. 1901 Front row: Samuel Dibble, his wife Mary Christiana Louis Dibble, their grandchild Mary Caroline Moss, Samuel Dibble Moss (known as Dibble Moss), Ann Agnes Hall Louis (widow of Deopold Louis), Frances Agnes Dibble Moss (known as Agnes Moss). Back row: Louis Virgil Dibble; Annie Leak Wyatt Dibble; Samuel Dibble II, Mary Henley Dibble ("May" - later Mrs. W.W. Watson); Benjamin Hart Moss.Samuel Dibble I family of Orangeburg SC c. 1912 Back row: Samuel Dibble II, Louis Virgil Dibble, Rosa Parsons Dibble (baby), Ann Eliza Leak Wyatt Dibble, Samuel Dibble Moss, Frances Agnes Dibble Moss, Benjamin Hart Moss. Middle row: Mary Christiana Louis Dibble, Samuel Dibble, Mary "May" Henley Watson, Whitefield William Watson, Agnes Adele Watson (baby). Front row: Samuel Gabeau Dibble ? twin, Annie Leak Dibble (Bradley), Mary Louis Watson (Coleman), Thomas Wyatt Dibble ? twin, Samuel Dibble "Sam" Watson; Angelina Wannamaker Watson (Mayes), Mary Agnes Dibble (Morris), Mary Caroline Moss.
Samuel Dibble served as member of the State house of representatives in 1877 and 1878.
Trustee of the University of South Carolina at Columbia in 1878.
He served as member of the Board of School Commissioners of Orangeburg County.
He served as delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1880.
Presented credentials as a Democratic Member-elect to the Forty-seventh Congress to fill a vacancy thought to exist by reason of the death (pending a contest) of Michael P. O'Connor, and served from June 9, 1881, to May 31, 1882, when the seat was awarded to Edmund W.M. Mackey under the original election.
Dibble was elected to the Forty-eighth and to the three succeeding Congresses (March 4, 1883 – March 3, 1891).
He served as chairman of the Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds (Forty-ninth and Fiftieth Congresses).
He declined to be a candidate for reelection in 1890.
