Samuel J. Todd was born in Preble, Cortland County, New York on January 19, 1821. His ancestors were Scotch-Irish. His great grand-father and great-great grandfather were a part of the sixteen families who migrated here from Ulster, North Ireland on April 11, 1719, and settled in Londonderry, New Hampshire. Mr. Todd, when a boy, moved to Peterboro, New Hampshire where he worked on a farm for his grandfather until February 1839, when he went to Batavia, New York and took up the study of law under Chandler and Taggert, prominent lawyers.

Coming to Beloit in 1850, Mr. Todd established himself in the practice of law and became known as one of the best-known attorneys in this part of the state. In 1853, Mr. Todd was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Hazzard, of Jay, Essex County, New York. Five children were born to this union. Mary died in infancy, one son, Robert H. died in 1907, Alice C. died in 1898, Anne C. died in 1897 and Elizabeth who married Burdette P. Eldred, Sr. died in 1925. Elected Justice of the Peace in 1854, he served for thirteen or fourteen months and then resigned. During the year of 1859-60 he served the city as Mayor and from 1870-1874 was City Attorney. His ability as a man of high legal attainments won for him an appointment in 1857 as one of the commissioners to revise the state statutes. For two terms he was elected State Senator from his district and he served with distinction.

Beside other offices of public trust, Mr. Todd served for several years as a member of the Beloit school board. He served on a six-man committee that founded the city high school system in 1867. Mr. and Mrs. Todd were members of the First Congregational Church. In 1927, Mr. Todd was honored by having a new Beloit Elementary School, Todd School, named in his memory. The Honorable Samuel J. Todd passed away January 9, 1902 at his home on Broad Street. Survivors included his wife and two children, Robert H. Todd and Mrs. Elizabeth (Burdette P.) Eldred. She was the grandmother of John Eldred, President of the First national Bank and Trust Company. Burial services were held from his home with internment in Oakwood Cemetery.