James Wiseman

Fairfax Harrison was born on March 13, 1869, leaving a legacy as an influential American businessman and lawyer before his demise on February 2, 1938. His career took a significant turn in 1896 when he joined the Southern Railway Company, providing legal advice for the company. Within a decade, his impact at the company was clear, as he climbed the ladder to become the vice-president of finance in 1906.

In 1913, his outstanding service to the Southern Railway Company was rewarded by his election as the President. His leadership led the company to substantial growth. The Southern Railway Company experienced an expansion of its network from just a local railway system to an extensive 8,000-mile (13,000 km) network that crisscrossed 13 states.

Harrison’s influence extended beyond the confines of the Southern Railway Company when the United States engaged in World War I. The federal government had taken over the railway’s management, running the rails under the United States Railroad Administration. Harrison was co-opted, providing his expertise in rail administration during the crucial wartime period when transportation was vital.

Post-war, Harrison’s focus was to improve the image of the Southern Railway Company in the public eye and modernize the rail service. Under his leadership, the railway upgraded its locomotive stock, introducing more potent engines.

There was also an increase in the company’s railroad track. Fairfax’s vision extended the services offered by the railway, stretching the areas covered by the rail. Despite these advancements, Harrison faced significant challenges trying to maintain the railway’s operations during the Great Depression. These were trying times for the Southern Railway Company.

However, thanks to his ingenuity and tenacity, by 1936, the company had turned a corner and became profitable once again. A year later, in 1937, after serving in the railway industry for decades and guiding the Southern Railway Company through both its best and worst times, Harrison retired. He passed away three months after his retirement.

Also on March 13, another notable event in history concerns Ethel Reed, a recognized American graphic artist, also born on this day in 1874. Photographs of Reed, shot around 1895 by Frances Benjamin Johnston, form part of the collection at the U.S. Library of Congress. Although Ethel Reed passed away in 1912, her work continues to captivate audiences today.

This brief biography about Fairfax Harrison and Ethel Reed was composed by volunteer editors and hosted by the non-profit Wikimedia Foundation. It is part of a vast range of volunteer projects written in English and many different languages. Its primary aim is to freely disseminate knowledge to as many people as possible.