Samuel Harrington was born on the 11th of September 1841 in Ashtabula County, Ohio. He enlisted in Company 'A' 6th Cavalry at Camp Butler, Illinois on the 1st day of December 1862 and was discharged at Selma Alabama on the 5th day of November 1865. On about the 15th of April in 1863 he received a wound in his left arm at Pearl River, Mississippi and was captured at that time. Apparently he had been in a prisoner exchange since he was discharged with his outfit.

He married Mary Ann Wilkins from Marion County Illinois and they raised 2 daughters.

He died in Marion County on the 14th of October 1915.