The Harpers – Commissioner & Captain

By Mike Simmons

The community of Gonzalez, Florida stretches from Muscogee Road south to Ten Mile Road, and from Clear Creek and the UWF Bike Trails west to Eleven Mile Creek.  

Around 1790, Manuel Gonzalez a Spanish immigrant, arrived in New Orleans. He soon became an Indian agent for the US Government. After acquiring quite a sum of money, Gonzalez moved to Pensacola, finding and purchasing some property north of town. When he settled the property, he named it Gonzalia. In 1821, Andrew Jackson, when coming to West Florida to accept it for the United States, stayed with Gonzalez for about a month before descending into the city in July. Later, the farm served as a Confederate storage facility that was under the control of Gonzalez’ son, Samuel.  

The area was originally called Gonzalia, after the Gonzalez family who owned a farm there. 

The family’s patriarch, Manuel Gonzalez, was a Spanish immigrant who arrived in the New World around 1790. He served as an Indian Agent in New Orleans before settling in Pensacola. During the Civil War, the Gonzalez farm served as a Confederate storage facility run by Manuel’s son, Samuel Z. Gonzalez. There was also a minor skirmish between Union and Confederate troops on the farm. Later, a skirmish between the North and the South took place on the farm.  

James Bentley Roberts was born in 1829 in Philadelphia. By 1854, he was living in Gonzalez and building his fortune. Among his businesses was a brickyard which turned out to be a real moneymaker. As he made his money, he donated the land for a school, called Public School #5 and a church, which later was named Gonzalez Methodist Church. The community was renamed “Roberts.” On January 1, 1887, Roberts was elected Town Marshal & was appointed Chief of Police. He served until January 15, 1889. 

In 1891, Mr. And Mrs. John T. Harper gave birth to a son, Ernest Ellis Harper was born in Roberts. His family had roots in the community and “E.E.,” as he was known, grew up a part of it. As soon as he reached seven years old, his intelligence began to show as he was named to the honor roll of School #5 on March 4, 1898.  

On August 3, 1909, E.E.’s life changed when he married the lovely Emily Amelia Fleming in Pensacola. From that marriage came J.E., Marguerite, E.E., Jr., Raymond, Dorothy and Marie. The young family made their home at 702 N. “E” Street, near the northeast corner of “E” and Gadsden Streets.  

In 1911, E.E., a clerk at a general store, applied for a job at the Pensacola Police Department. Little did he know that, when he got the job, he was beginning a life that would stay in his family for seventy-six years.  

On September 25, 1921, Captain Harper’s family was enjoying the fall weather at Chumuckla Springs when their 4-year-old daughter became very ill.  Their daughter, Marguerite, died that evening and was buried in St. John’s Cemetery the next day.  The service was held in the family home at 702 North “E” Street.  

E.E. moved up through the ranks quickly and, on October 15, 1923, The Pensacola News Journal reported that Captain Ernest Ellis Harper was appointed chief to replace Mose Penton. Chief Harper had spent time as a patrolman, a turnkey and a motorcycle officer before being promoted to captain and deputy marshal in 1919. When Chief Harper took over, Prohibition was in full force. A nationwide battle was several years old, and Pensacola was no different. Reports named Sanders Beach as being a “point of sale” that was known by most officers. “The Barn,” located at 105 West Jackson Street, was the party headquarters for naval officers and others. The Black Market was very active, including shiploads being brought in and delivered to the locals at the sight of the ruins of the battleship U. S. S. Massachusetts in the Gulf of Mexico. While it is true that ratification of little to curb the consumption of legal and illegal alcohol, the battle continued to rage.  

On November 17, 1925, City Commissioner Frank Dent Sanders died after suffering cerebral hemorrhages.  Chief Harper was appointed to the commission in his place.  He was then reelected in 1929.  He then went on to become the Police Commissioner in 1930.  In 1932, Harper made an unsuccessful play for Escambia County Sheriff.  After his defeat, Harper became a deputy sheriff.  Then, on June 6, 1933, tragedy again struck the Harper family.  Harpers wife, Amelia Fleming Harper, passed away at the age of 43.   

Harper continued raising his four children as a single father.  In addition to Earnest, Amelia and Marguerite, the family consisted of two boys – Edward & Raymond, and two daughters – Dorothy & Jeanette. 

Harper’s son, Raymond C. Harper, decided to follow in his father’s footsteps and become a Pensacola police officer. Raymond became a lifelong officer and moved to the rank of captain. Known as “The Godfather of the Police Department,” he was the rock that everyone depended on, like his father had been. He died in 1987. The Pensacola Police Department is better thanks to the Harpers.