Trevelin Queen

Fairfax Harrison was an influential figure in the American rail industry in the early twentieth century, leading the Southern Railway Company through periods of expansion, war, depression, and resurgence. Born in 1869, Harrison received his legal training and embarked on a career that would marry his skills as a lawyer and businessman to shape an entire industry.

In 1896, several years into his legal career, Fairfax Harrison began his association with the Southern Railway Company, America’s largest railroad system at the time. He initially served as a legal representative for the company, honing his skills and gaining an in-depth understanding of the industry. His dedication and talent were quickly recognized, leading to his promotion to Vice President of Finance by 1906.

From this strategic position, Harrison steered the company’s financial direction, fueling a remarkable period of expansion. Here, he demonstrated his ability for strategic thinking and effective decision-making, attributes that ultimately led to his election as President of the Southern Railway in 1913. During his tenure as President, his astute leadership resulted in a sizeable expansion of the rail company’s coverage, resulting in an impressive 8,000-mile network spanning 13 states.

During the tumultuous period of World War I, the US government took control of the railroads to support the war effort. Harrison dutifully served his country by joining the United States Railroad Administration. His knowledge and experience greatly benefited the government’s control and management of the railroads during the war.

After the war, Harrison returned to his position at Southern Railway and faced the monumental task of rebuilding both the company’s assets and public trust. He embarked upon a comprehensive program to upgrade locomotive stock, introduce more powerful engines, and extend the areas served by the railway. His efforts to improve the company’s public relations and increase the amount of railway track were met with success.

However, in the late 1920s, like many businesses, the Southern Railway encountered the challenging economic waves of the Great Depression. With determination, Harrison navigated the company through these stormy waters. Despite the harsh economic climate, he managed to return the company to profitability by 1936, demonstrating his unwavering resilience and leadership prowess.

In 1937, after a successful and eventful career, Fairfax Harrison decided to retire. Despite his departure, the legacy he left behind had a significant impact on the American rail industry. He passed away three months later in 1938, but his contributions live on, remembered as those of a transformative figure in American railway history.

On the same day of Harrison’s birth, March 13, was born another influential American, Ethel Reed. A graphic artist with international recognition, Reed was known for her unique style and was significantly influential in the art world of her time. Frances Benjamin Johnston, a renowned American photographer and photojournalist, captured a photograph of Reed circa 1895. Today, this photograph is part of the collection of the U.S. Library of Congress. Reed passed away prematurely in 1912, yet her bold, artistic vision continues to inspire and resonate with contemporary audiences.

Both Fairfax Harrison and Ethel Reed’s stories capture the spirit of the period they lived in—the grit and innovation, the artistic blossoming, and the powerful impact individuals can have within, and beyond, their respective fields. Their enduring legacies continue to resonate, stemming from voluntary historical documentation upheld by non-profit organizations like the Wikimedia Foundation, who host written accounts in multiple languages to preserve and share knowledge around the globe.