University of Virginia Library

TIPTON T. FISHBURNE

Tipton T. Fishburne, the subject of this sketch, was
born November 20th, 1849, at Warm Hollow, Franklin
County, Virginia, being the seventh son of Samuel
and Frances T. Fishburne,
and one of a
family of twelve children,
nine sons and three
daughters.

His father was a prominent
farmer and merchant
of the period,
and his habits of life
were methodical and
orderly to a high degree.
He was of German extraction,
systematic and
economical in the conduct
of his affairs, and
inculcated the habit
of strict integrity
among his children.
His mother was a native
of Virginia, of English
descent, and possessed among other qualities of mind
and heart, a spirit of energy and a devotion to principle,
which have been transmitted to her children.

Mr. Fishburne's early home training was founded
upon broad lines of morality and religious devotion, and
the lessons then received, during the formative period
of his character, have been of the highest value throughout
his long and successful business career.

When he attained the age of seven, his early education
was begun at one of the "old field schools," so
known on account of the buildings being usually located,
for the purpose of economy, in a deserted field.

Later he entered Oakgrove Seminary, a private
school, making excellent progress, and acquiring a good
common school education.

This school was superior in many respects to most of
the schools of its day and time, strict discipline being
maintained and educational advantages of an unusual
character afforded its pupils.

During the latter part of the Civil War, this school
was discontinued, but Mr. Fishburne pursued his
studies and obtained a general knowledge of the common
school branches as well as a knowledge of general
business methods and accounting.

On February 11th, 1868, although not yet nineteen
years of age, he left home, after receiving the consent
of his parents, and journeyed to Big Lick, where he
entered the employ of Ferguson and Gambill, who conducted
a general store. This place of business was on
the west side of Commerce Street, where at that time
stood the principal business houses of Big Lick, and
was one of the leading mercantile establishments of
the town.

During his employment with Ferguson and Gambill,
Mr. Fishburne conceived the idea of taking a collegiate
course in order to prepare himself for the ministry, and
had some correspondence with Dr. Duncan on the
subject of entering Randolph-Macon College.

However, after some reflection, he concluded to
remain in the mercantile business, and in 1872, he
returned to Franklin County to embark in business in
Rocky Mount.

In the early part of 1872 a copartnership was formed
by T. T. Fishburne, R. H. Fishburne, and C. L. Menefee
who conducted a general merchandise business in Rocky
Mount, the county seat of Franklin County.

In the winter of 1872, Mr. Fishburne concluded to
go West with the expectation of locating in Iowa, and
disposed of his interest in the business at Rocky Mount.

On arriving at Big Lick, he had the misfortune to
lose his valise through theft, and, pending its recovery,
spent the night with Isham Ferguson, his former employer,
who proposed selling to him his tobacco factory.

After consultation with his brother, Reuben H.
Fishburne, he concluded to abandon the idea of going
West, and the Fishburne brothers purchased the
tobacco business, later selling a third interest to William
Taylor, who was engaged in merchandising. The
Fishburne brothers bought a two-thirds interest in the
general store conducted by Mr. Taylor, and the tobacco
business was carried on under the name of
Fishburne Brothers & Taylor; while the general
store was conducted under the name of Taylor &
Fishburne Brothers.

In 1879 the Fishburne brothers sold their interest
in the store to Wm. Taylor and at the same time acquired
his holdings in the tobacco business, continuing
the same under the firm name of Fishburne Bros. &
Co., having interested J. R. Fishburne as a partner.

In 1884 R. H. Fishburne disposed of his interest to
T. T. and J. R. Fishburne, who conducted the business
until the death of J. R. Fishburne, in 1886, when R. H.
Fishburne again became identified with the firm as a
partner.

T. T. Fishburne remained at the head of the business
until 1892, when he sold his interest to R. H. Fishburne,
T. J. Phelps, and C. L. Tinsley.

The Fishburne Tobacco Factory, during the years
in which it was operated had built up a splendid reputation
for its products, and its brands were widely
known and classed among the finest productions of
Virginia and North Carolina leaf.

It was the pioneer of the half dozen factories in Big
Lick in 1873, and maintained a reputation for the
excellence of its brands throughout the whole period of
its existence.

In 1889 T. T. Fishburne decided to embark in the
banking business, and after consulting with other
influential business men of Roanoke, he organized the
National Exchange Bank of this city, which was
chartered with a capital stock of $100,000. Mr.
Fishburne has been actively identified with the business
of the institution, having served as its first President
from 1889 to 1905, a period of sixteen years, being
succeeded by J. B. Fishbu