Admiral Schofield

Fairfax Harrison was a prominent American lawyer and businessman, born on March 13, 1869. His professional journey was deeply intertwined with the Southern Railway Company, where he initially started as a legal representative in 1896. Rising rapidly within the bunch, Harrison obtained the role of vice-president of finance by the turn of 1906. The pinnacle of his career was attained in 1913 when he was elected as the president of the Southern Railway Company.

Under Harrison’s strong leadership, the Southern Railway Company experienced exponential growth, expanding to an intricate network extending over 8,000 miles across thirteen states. His tenure as president is marked with transformative developments that led to the strengthening of the company’s foundation and operations.

Harrison’s leadership skills were put to the test when the United States entered World War I. The federal government assumed control over the railroads, running their operations through the United States Railroad Administration. During this historical period, Harrison served on the administration, showcasing his versatile skills as more than just a company man.

In the wake of the war, Harrison was instrumental in adopting measures that reformatted the railroad’s image amongst the public and revolutionized its infrastructure. The locomotive stock was notably upgraded, introducing powerful engines that would stand as a testament to the company’s modernization efforts. The reach of the Southern Railway Company was further extended by increasing the amount of railroad track and expanding the service area.

The Great Depression, a decade that crippled numerous business entities across the world, was a challenging time for the Southern railway too. Despite this, Harrison made vigorous efforts to keep the railroad afloat. By the end of 1936, the Southern was resurrected, turning a profit once again.

After an illustrious and influential career, Harrison retired in 1937. He passed away merely three months post-retirement, on February 2, 1938, ending a remarkable chapter of his life that greatly impacted the railroad industry.

One should also notice that similarly to Harrison, Ethel Reed, an internationally recognized American graphic artist, was also born on March 13. She was known for her iconic work as a graphic designer and her photograph, captured by Frances Benjamin Johnston around 1895, remains in the collection of the U.S. Library of Congress.

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