Philander and his brother Andrew Dibble (1800-1846) moved from Bethel, Connecticut, to Charleston engaging in business together as hatters.
Young Dibble pursued an academic course in Bethel, Connecticut (his father's birthplace), and Charleston, South Carolina.
B. from Wofford College, Spartanburg, South Carolina, in July, 1856, under the presidency of Rev.
Dibble also studied law between 1858 and 1859 under Jefferson Choice of Spartanburg, and Lesesne and Wilkins of Charleston, and was admitted as an attorney of law in December, 1859, and as a solicitor in equity in 1865 having studied equity under Hon.
Presented credentials as a Democratic Member-elect to the Forty-seventh Congress to fill a vacancy thought to exist by reason of the death (pending a contest) of Michael P. O'Connor, and served from June 9, 1881, to May 31, 1882, when the seat was awarded to Edmund W.M.
He served as chairman of the Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds (Forty-ninth and Fiftieth Congresses).
Samuel Dibble family of Orangeburg, South Carolina c. 1901 Front row: Samuel Dibble, his wife Mary Christiana Louis Dibble, their grandchild Mary Caroline Moss, Samuel Dibble Moss (known as Dibble Moss), Ann Agnes Hall Louis (widow of Deopold Louis), Frances Agnes Dibble Moss (known as Agnes Moss). Back row: Louis Virgil Dibble; Annie Leak Wyatt Dibble; Samuel Dibble II, Mary Henley Dibble ("May" - later Mrs. W.W. Watson); Benjamin Hart Moss.
Samuel Dibble I family of Orangeburg SC c. 1912 Back row: Samuel Dibble II, Louis Virgil Dibble, Rosa Parsons Dibble (baby), Ann Eliza Leak Wyatt Dibble, Samuel Dibble Moss, Frances Agnes Dibble Moss, Benjamin Hart Moss. Middle row: Mary Christiana Louis Dibble, Samuel Dibble, Mary "May" Henley Watson, Whitefield William Watson, Agnes Adele Watson (baby). Front row: Samuel Gabeau Dibble ? twin, Annie Leak Dibble (Bradley), Mary Louis Watson (Coleman), Thomas Wyatt Dibble ? twin, Samuel Dibble "Sam" Watson; Angelina Wannamaker Watson (Mayes), Mary Agnes Dibble (Morris), Mary Caroline Moss.
