Keon Johnson

Fairfax Harrison was a celebrated American lawyer and businessman, born on March 13, 1869, and passed away on February 2, 1938. His legacy in the railroad industry remains noteworthy to date.

Initially, Harrison furnished his legal expertise to the Southern Railway Company, joining them in 1896. His skills, commitment, and eventual upward trajectory in the organization saw him rise to the role of Vice-President of Finance by 1906. Harrison was instrumental in helping the railway company expand its operations.

By 1913, with a strong reputation under his belt, Harrison was elected President of Southern. His leadership was characterized by pioneering changes that significantly widened the company’s footprint. The Southern Railway Network sprawled into an 8000-mile vast expanse, encompassing 13 different states, highlighting the tremendous growth under Harrison’s tenure.

However, on the outbreak of World War I, with the entry of the United States into the article, the federal government assumed control of the railroads. In this context, Harrison found himself tasked with a new role in the United States Railroad Administration, tasked with maintaining the pivotal rail operations amidst war times.

Despite the war’s inevitable challenges, once the conflict ended, Harrison refused to let the setbacks hamper Southern Railway’s operations. He worked relentlessly to refurbish the railroad’s public image while upgrading the company’s infrastructure and equipment. Under Harrison’s leadership, Southern Railway introduced powerful engines, increased their railroad track presence, and expanded the areas serviced by their railway.

The Great Depression posed another significant obstacle, pushing Harrison to work harder to ensure the survival of the company. His relentless efforts and strategic planning finally bore fruit in 1936 when Southern Railway saw profitability again.

After an illustrious career that spanned over three decades, Harrison decided to retire in 1937. However, after a stint of just three months into his retirement, Harrison passed away, leaving behind a legacy that reshaped American railways.

Another notable figure sharing Harrison’s birth date, March 13, albeit five years later, was Ethel Reed. Born on March 13, 1874, Reed was an acclaimed American graphic artist whose works received international recognition. Her charisma is immortalized in a photograph taken around 1895 by Frances Benjamin Johnston. This photograph, which captures the essence of Ethel Reed, is now preserved in the U.S. Library of Congress. Reed’s contributions to the art world remained significant until her untimely death in 1912.

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