Goga Bitadze

Fairfax Harrison was born on March 13, 1869, and throughout his lifetime, he fostered a highly esteemed professional footprint on the American soil as a reputable lawyer and accomplished businessman. Born to affluent parents in an age of limited opportunities, Harrison dedicated his life to diligent work, integrity, and, most notably, the absolute enhancement of the Southern Railway Company.

His journey with the Southern Railway Company started in 1896 as a legal representative. The ten ensuing years witnessed his industrious work and his meteoric rise in the company’s management, landing him the position of vice-president in the finance department in 1906. Seven years afterward, his leadership acumen saw him elected president of the railway company—an office he used to steer the company into remarkable growth and prosperity.

Under Harrison’s stewardship, the Southern Railway Company managed to expand its reach across 13 states, subsequently establishing an impressive 8,000-mile network that later translated to its rise as one of the leading railroad companies in the United States. His ingenuity and innovativeness weren’t confined to geographical and infrastructural additions. Equally, they stretched to upgrades in the locomotive stock, where Harrison introduced more potent engines to boost the company’s operations.

The United States’s participation in World War I resulted in the federal government’s meddling in the railroads. This interference by the state saw the railroads run through the United States Railroad Administration, a body entrusted with the provisional running of the railroads. As an integral person in the railroad sector, Harrison became a significant member of this administration.

Once the war was concluded, Harrison took up the task to improve the railroad’s public relations actively. At the same time, he embarked on an ambitious project aimed at enlarging the company’s railroad track as well as extending the serviced area by the railway. His initiatives were mainly pioneered towards improving the company’s operations, the safety of its clients, and the overall satisfaction derived from their services.

However, the Great Depression brought forth an unprecedented wave of challenges to businesses across the country. Harrison, as the railroad company’s president, was faced with the substantial task of keeping the company operational despite the trying times. He dug deep into his business acumen and expertise to steer the Southern Railway Company through this period. By 1936, the company had regained its prominence and had returned to profitability against all odds.

In 1937, Harrison hung up his boots and retired from his position as president of the Southern Railway Company. However, his retirement was cut short by his untimely death only three months later on February 2, 1938, drawing an end to the life of one of America’s most influential railroad personalities. But despite his unexpected departure, the legacy of Harrison, his thorough work, and redefined professionalism in the railway industry remains a significant point of reference in the history of the industry.