He was born in New Providence, Pennsylvania. He spent most of his early life in Illinois, where he attended Mount Carroll Seminary before moving to New England. A graduate of Dartmouth College, he graduated in 1874, and began the study of law. He was admitted to the bar in 1875 and began the practice of law in Worcester, Massachusetts, and later in Boston.

In addition to the law, Mr. McCall also established himself as a journalist and businessman, as well as a compelling author and speaker. In fact, during his political career, it was said of him that he "could fill any hall in the Commonwealth, and his Lieutenant Governor, Calvin Coolidge, could empty it almost as fast."

Samuel McCall, a Republican, began his political life as a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 1888 to 1889 and 1892. He then served ten terms in the United States House of Representatives from 1893 to 1913. He became Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in 1916, and served to 1919. Governor McCall quickly mustered Massachusetts' troops to support the nation and President Woodrow Wilson in the First World War. He was among the first high profile advocates of Social Security and promoted town forests in Massachusetts.

After serving as Governor he devoted himself to practice of law and writing. In a 1921 Atlantic Monthly article, McCall reflected on the nature of political competition:

"There is probably nothing related to government that is advocated more and practiced less than economy. ... The party that is out is always bewailing the extravagance and criminal wastefulness of the party that is in. And when the people show themselves credulous enough to entrust the critics with power, the only difference likely to be seen is in an increased extravagance and waste. The fervor of the promise is usually found to be in inverse ratio to the amount of performance that is vouchsafed."

Governor McCall died on November 4, 1923. He is buried in Wildwood Cemetery, Winchester, Massachusetts.

Preceded by David I. Walsh Governor of Massachusetts (1916-1919) Succeeded by Calvin Coolidge Governors of Massachusetts  Colony  Endicott • Winthrop • T. Dudley • Haynes • Vane • Winthrop • T. Dudley • Bellingham • Winthrop • Endicott • T. Dudley • Winthrop • Endicott • T. Dudley • Endicott • Bellingham • Endicott • Bellingham • Leverett • Bradstreet

 Dominion  J. Dudley • Andros • Bradstreet

 Province  W. Phips • Stoughton • Coote • Stoughton • Governor's Council • J. Dudley • Tailer • Shute • Dummer • Burnet • Dummer • Tailer • Belcher • Shirley • S. Phips • Shirley • S. Phips • Pownall • Hutchinson • Bernard • Hutchinson • Gage