Born in Salisbury, New Hampshire, SAMUEL E. PINGREE graduated from Dartmouth College and studied law, establishing a practice in Hartford, Vermont. He enlisted as a private during the Civil War but rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He was elected a State’s Attorney for Windsor County, serving from 1868 to 1869, following which he was Lieutenant Governor for two years before being nominated for governor. During his gubernatorial administration, bank examination was provided for and insurance companies were ordered to submit annual reports. Pingree did not seek reelection after one term, but instead accepted the chairmanship of the State Board of Railways.