The namesake of Pasco County, Samuel Pasco was born in London, England and immigrated to the United States with his family in 1846. He graduated from Harvard University in 1858 and moved to Monticello, Florida the following year. While serving in the Third Florida Volunteers of the Confederate Army he was wounded and taken captive at Mississippi Ridge, remaining in Union prisons until 1865 when he was paroled and returned to Florida. He studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1868 and commenced practice in Monticello. He was president of the state constitutional convention in 1886. While serving as Speaker of the House, he was elected as a Democrat to the United States Senate in 1887 where he served until 1899. Upon retirement, he resided in Monticello until his death in Tampa in 1917.