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'''Eugene Edwin Saunders''' ([[1845]]-[[1913]]) was a maritime businessman who, with Captain [[T. E. Welles]], established [[E. E. Saunders & Company]], which became the region's largest dealer of [[red snapper]].
Born in Tower Hill, about three miles from Narraganset Narragansett Pier, Rhode Island, Saunders launched his freight schooner ''Fannie Fern'' from Pensacola and established a residence in the city in [[1868]]. He would later build a second schooner, ''Ajax'', which earned a reputation as "the largest and fastest vessel on the [[Gulf Coast]]."<ref>''[[History of Escambia County, Florida]]''. 1930.</ref>
Saunders came to own a number of valuable properties in Pensacola in addition to the [[Palafox wharf]] where his business was headquartered. He was active with the local [[Elks]] and [[Masons]] and was known for his generosity to charities.