Thompson Cox was for many years an enterprising farmer of Miami county, and through the period of his active connection with agricultural pursuits he acquired a handsome competence that enables him to live retired. His home at the present time is in Piqua. He was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, November 22, 1822, and through several generations traces his ancestry back to Holland. His great-grandfather, Gresham Cox, was a native of the land of dikes, whence he crossed the Atlantic to the new world, taking up his abode in New Jersey. William G. Cox, the grandfather of our subject, was born in New Jersey about 1778, and located in Hamilton county, Ohio, in 1811, making a settlement in the midst of the heavy forest. In 1812 he was drafted for service in the second war with England, being assigned to Wayne's army. He passed through Miami county on his way to join his command and for six weeks loyally aided his country. In politics he was a Democrat. He lived to be eighty-two years of age and was accounted one of the honored pioneers of the Buckeye state.

Tunis Cox, father of our subject, was a native of New Jersey and came to Hamilton county, Ohio, with his parents when nine years of age. There he spent his remaining days upon a farm, dying at the age of sixty-one. He was quite successful in his business affairs, accumulating a cornfortable property. He, too, was a Democrat in his political affiliations. He wedded Nancy Sparks, who was born in Ohio, in 1800, and for two years they resided at North Bend fort before removing to their home in the midst of the forest. Her father, Isaac Sparks, was a native of Pennsylvania and became one of the pioneers of the Buckeye state. He swam the Ohio river on one occasion in order to escape from the Indians. He served for several years as magistrate and lived to an advanced age. The mother of our subject died at the age of forty-one years. She had a family of twelve children, all of whom attained majority, while five are still living.

Mr. Cox, of this review, spent his youth on the old home farm with his parents. He was seventeen year of age at the time his father built a hotel on the pike, and for seven years he assisted in its conduct. He afterward engaged in agricultural pursuits for two years and then erected the hotel which was known as "The Eleven Mile Hotel" on the Cincinnati and Hamilton turnpike. He conducted it for three years, after which he came to Miami county, in 1852, and purchased a farm of one hundred and fifty acres, two and a half miles southeast of Piqua. There he lived until 1883, since which time he has rented his farm, making his home in the city. He followed progressive agricultural methods and his energy and capable management enabled him to steadily work his way upward to a position of affluence.

On the 18th of August, 1844, Mr. Cox was united in marriage to Miss Susan Patterson, who was born in Hamilton county, on a farm eight miles from Cincinnati, October 22, 1822. Her father, Alexander Patterson, was probably a native of Ohio, and throughout his active business career followed farming in this state. His parents were natives of Pennsylvania and came to Piqua at an early day. Alexander Patterson gave his political support to the Democracy and died in 1858, when about fifty years of age. His wife bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Long. She was a native of Hamilton county, Ohio, and reached the very advanced age of eighty- eight years. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Cox have been born four children: Nancy, wife of Howard Deweese, a farmer of Miami county residing in Piqua; Memrey, a farmer of Fort Scott, Kansas; Edward, who is living in Piqua; and Alice, who died at the age of fourteen years.

Mr. Cox has served as school director for a short time, but has never sought or desired the honors or emoluments of office. He votes with the Democracy and, keeping well informed on the issues of the day, has ever been enabled to support his political position by intelligent argument. He and his wife are members of the Christian church and are people of the highest respectability, whose friends in Piqua and Miami county are many.