Malachi Flynn

Fairfax Harrison was a notable American figure in both law and business sectors, born on March 13, 1869, and departed this life on February 2, 1938. His career path led him to play a significant role in the Southern Railway Company, where he began as a lawyer in 1896. Known for his ability to navigate financial landscapes, by 1906, Harrison had been elevated to the position of vice-president of finance, indicating his rapid career progression in the company.

Undoubtedly, one of his standout achievements was being elected as the president of the Southern Railway Company in 1913. Under his leadership, the company expanded massively. This expansion was not just in terms of reach across states but also in the literal miles of a rail network it managed. From its inception, the railway company had grown to manage an 8,000-mile rail network that spanned across 13 states.

The initial phase of his presidency saw not only domestic challenges but also international ones. Following the United States’s entry into World War I, the federal government took control of the endemic railroads. Harrison’s expertise was called upon as he served on the United States Railroad Administration to advise the government.

In the post-war era, Harrison was responsible for spearheading initiatives to improve the railroad’s public relations. Recognizing the need for more powerful engines, he led the company to upgrade its locomotive stock. Simultaneously, he was committed to increasing the company’s railroad track and broadening the area serviced by the railway.

His presidency, like any others, was not without its own set of challenges. The Great Depression proved to be a formidable opponent in the fight for sustenance. Harrison struggled greatly to keep the railway afloat during these trying times, but his efforts paid off by 1936 when Southern saw a resurgence, becoming profitable once again.

The subsequent year, in 1937, Harrison took retirement, marking the end of an eventful career and a significant era of growth for Southern. His retirement, sadly, proved to be short-lived as three months later, he passed away, leaving behind a remarkable legacy that included an 8,000-mile railway network that threaded its way through 13 states.

The same birthdate of significance also heralds another illustrious American, Ethel Reed, born on March 13, 1874, and lived till 1912. She was an internationally recognized graphic artist fostering her talents at a time when women were fighting for their rightful space in different fields. A photograph taken around 1895 showcases Reed’s dedication and skill as an artist, preserved by Frances Benjamin Johnston, which is now part of the collection at the U.S. Library of Congress.

The Wikimedia Foundation, a non-profit organization, takes on the onus of hosting the digital signposts of both Reed and Harrison’s lives. Maden earnest efforts in keeping the shared information accurate, Wikipedia, an open-source encyclopedia, is written articulately and coherently by volunteer editors. The foundation hosts this and many other community-driven volunteer projects. Catering to a global audience, it offers Wikipedia in many different languages, including some of the largest spoken ones.