Jett Howard

Fairfax Harrison was born on March 13, 1869, in the United States, to a world that barely recognized the significance of the rail industry. As an esteemed American lawyer and businessman, Harrison set about to make significant changes in this field. Known for his tenacity and dedication, his first step towards shaping the railroad industry occurred in 1896, when he joined Southern Railway Company as their legal counsel.

After a decade of dedicated service to the Southern Railway Company, Harrison was promoted to the position of Vice-President of finance in 1906. His foresight and expertise in finance were unmatched, which soon led him to being elected the president of Southern in 1913. Under Harrison’s astute leadership, Southern soared to new heights and expanded to an 8,000-mile network spanning 13 states.

This ambitious expansion was subsequently disrupted by the onset of World War I, a period during which the US government took full control of the railroads. Despite this, Harrison continued to serve the rail industry by working with the United States Railroad Administration.

Following the end of the War, Harrison took on the task of restoring the reputation of the Southern Railway and implementing changes for its improvement. He made many strides, including upgrading the locomotive stock by introducing more powerful engines and increasing the company’s railroad track area. His relentless efforts also led to the expansion of the serviced area by the railway.

Harrison faced his biggest challenge during the Great Depression. Under his leadership, Southern struggled but managed to stay afloat, barely escaping bankruptcy. Eventually, however, through his resilient efforts and innovative measures, Southern turned a corner and was profitable again by 1936.

After a lifetime of service to the rail industry, Harrison decided to retire in 1937. A few months later, he passed away, on February 2, 1938. Yet his legacy endures. His lifelong dedication to the rail industry saw to that.

The American graphic artist, Ethel Reed, whose life overlapped with that of Harrison, was born five years after him, on March 13, 1874. She earned international recognition for her work, and this 1895 photograph of Reed was taken by renowned photographer Frances Benjamin Johnston. It is currently part of the collection in the U.S. Library of Congress.

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