Biography

He married his first cousin, Louisa Gindrat Arnold (1828-1905), the daughter of his father's uncle, Richard J. Arnold (1796-1873). They resided in Middletown, R.I., and had three children: Louisa G. (Arnold) Appleton (1849-1895), Frances R. Arnold (1854-1948), and Mary Cornelia "Nina" (Arnold) Rogers (1859-1932).
            Arnold's early education took place in Providence schools and St. Paul's College in Long Island. He then continued his education in 1836 at Brown University. During his studies he took some time off due to illness and traveled in Europe. When he came back to the United States he finished at Brown, graduating in 1841. From there he began working in the counting rooms of James T. Rhodes and went as a merchantman to St. Petersburg, Russia. Upon returning from Russia he continued his education at Harvard Law School, graduating in 1845. He was then admitted to the Rhode Island Bar.
            Arnold traveled extensively throughout Europe, the Middle East, and South America. Due to his wealth he was able to pursue his passion for history and writing. Between 1859-1860 he wrote two volumes entitled the History of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. He also wrote histories of Providence and Middletown, gave public addresses, and wrote several memorial papers for prominent Rhode Islanders.
            He was a stockholder in several mining companies and in the Arnold Estate Company and president of the Navassa Phosphate Company. This company was based at Navassa Island off the coast of Haiti. The company was one of several in the business of harvesting guano. Of the men on the island, approximately fifteen were white officers and supervisors, and the rest were workers of African descent. The company's ownership of Navassa Island was challenged by the Haitian government in 1874. Haiti lobbied the U.S. government, arguing that they were entitled to compensation for the island due to their geography (see correspondence dated 1874).
            Arnold was also active in local and national politics. He was elected Lieutenant Governor in 1852 and elected again in 1861 and 1862. Also, in 1861 he was a delegate to the Peace Convention which hoped to stave off the Civil War. From 1862 to1863 he served as a Senator in the United States Congress and in 1876 he was chosen as a Republican presidential elector. He served as a Colonel in charge of the Providence Marine Corps of Artillery during the Civil War and gave money to refurbish the armory in 1862.
            He was very much involved with his alma mater and with his local community. In 1848 he became a trustee at Brown, was a member of the Committee of Examination, and in 1878 was awarded a Doctor of Laws degree. He also became the president of the Rhode Island Historical Society in 1868 and served in that position until his death in 1880. He also served as president of the Charitable Baptist Society, was a member of the Providence school committee, and served as a trustee at Butler Hospital.
            Samuel G. Arnold died in Providence on February 13, 1880 from chronic catarrhal pneumonia.