J.W. Fishburn, of the Mexia Ledger, was the first president of Texas Press Association and one of the original signers of the call for the first meeting. He was active in the organization of the body and helpful in laying a strong foundation for its perpetuation.

On May 19, 1880, Fishburn and 72 others met in Houston to organize the association with the expressed mission to be “the promotion of the welfare of the Texas press, the elevation of its character, the inculcation of the feeling of harmony and the protection of its rights.”

Fishburn was born in Franklin County, Va. in 1831, coming to Texas in 1857. His first newspaper work in Texas was with the Belton Journal. In 1869, he established the Fairfield Recorder, but moved the plant to Mexia in 1872 and established the Mexia Ledger.

He also owned for a time a half-interest in the Corsicana Independent. At the time of his death, Fishburn was considering the purchase of a half-interest in the Dallas Times, from Col. Bill Sterett.

He called the second annual meeting to order May 11, 1881 in Pilot’s Opera House in Houston and TPA had grown from 43 members at the first meeting to 106 members.