Born Ashtabula County, Ohio, son of Gardiner and Fanny Rice. In 1848 his parents came to Oregon, Wisconsin.Age 22, single, a farmer. Enlisted August 14th 1862 Oregon, Wisconsin by J. Bull for three years, mustered in August 30th 1862, Madison, Wisconsin.

Sick Milliken’s Bend, Louisiana April 14th 1863, returned to company May 29th 1863, sick in general hospital, Vicksburg, Mississippi August, 1863, sick in hospital, Keokuk, Iowa August 26th 1864, mustered out May 17th 1864 Davenport, Iowa,

Samuel was married in Oregon, Wisconsin, following her death, he married again in Oregon to Hannah West on September 11th 1873.

After the war he was partially disabled and could not do farm work. He worked in Oregon Village with Mr. Cowler in the tin trade than later with a Mr. J.B. Gardner in Oregon. He then started a tin shop but had to hire the heavy work out. He left Oregon for Verona after his father died. Samuel Rice dies January 18th 1896.