Samuel PASCO, Congress, FL (1834-1917)

PASCO Samuel , a Senator from Florida; born in London, England, June 28, 1834; immigrated to the United States with his family and settled in Charlestown, Mass., in 1846; attended the public schools and graduated from Harvard University in 1858; moved to Florida in 1859 and was principal of Waukeenah Academy, near Monticello, 1860-1861; during the Civil War entered the Confederate Army as a private in the Third Florida Volunteers; wounded and captured at Mississippi Ridge, and remained in prison until March 1865, when paroled with the rank of sergeant; returned to Florida in 1865 and was again principal of Waukeenah Academy 1865-1866; clerk of the circuit court of Jefferson County 1866-1868; studied law; admitted to the bar in 1868 and commenced practice in Monticello, Fla.; presidential elector on the Democratic ticket in 1880; president of the State constitutional convention in 1885; member, State house of representatives 1886-1887, and served as speaker in the latter year; elected as a Democrat to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy in the term beginning March 4, 1887; was appointed in 1893 and subsequently elected; again appointed in 1899 and served from May 19, 1887, to April 18, 1899, when a successor was elected; unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1899; chairman, Committee on Claims (Fifty-third Congress); member of the Isthmian Canal Commission 1899-1905; retired and resided in Monticello; died in Tampa, Fla., March 13, 1917; interment in Roseland Cemetery, Monticello, Fla.

Bibliography

Dictionary of American Biography; Pasco, Samuel. "Jefferson County, Florida, 1827-1910." Florida Historical Society Quarterly 7 (October 1928): 139-54, 7 (January 1929): 234-57; Pasco, Samuel, Jr. "Samuel Pasco." Florida Historical Society Quarterly 7 (October 1928): 135-38.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present