Charles Cox, the father of our subject, was born in Kentucky, and was a lad of eight years when his parents brought him to this county, where he grew to maturity. He was united in marriage with Miss Francena H., daughter of Spruce Phillips, whose sketch is published in this volume. They became the parents of eight children, as follows: Hardin, the subject of this sketch; Evan, deceased; Mary, deceased, was the wife of William J. Miller; Jeremiah; Hannah, Mrs. James H. Long; Harriet, now Mrs. John T. Sample; Lizzie, deceased; and Charles. The father was bred to the life of a farmer, and followed that vocation with financial success until his death, April 27, 1885, at the age of sixty-four years, one month, and three days. He was a good man and a reliable citizen, who possessed the confidence and respect of all about him. His wife survived him until May 28, 1888, when she too passed to the great beyond, aged sixty-two years, four months, and ten days. She was a true and consistent member of the Baptist Church, and we may remark in this connection that the paternal ancestry of our subject for some generations belonged to the Christian denomination, with the exception of his grandfather, who was converted from that faith to Catholicism by his second wife.
Hardin Cox, of whom these lines are a brief life record, was reared on the homestead where he was born, and where he still lives, spending a part of his early life in Jacksonville, where he attended school and gained a practical education. When it came time to choose his life work, he selected that of a farmer, to which his tastes, as well as his early training adapted him, and is now conducting with marked success the farm which his father gave him. It comprises 240 acres of land under high cultivation and well improved, having a fine set of buildings and all the modern conveniences for carrying on farming so as to obtain the best results.
To the wife who presides so pleasantly over his home, making it comfortable and attractive not only to the members of the household, but to all others, Mr. Cox was married near Somserset, Ky., on the 4th of February, 1885. Her maiden name was Mattie J. Saunders, and she is a daughter of G. W. and Jane (Long) Sanders, natives, respectively of Virginia and Kentucky, and residents of the latter State. Two children, Mabel S. and H. Charles have come to gladden the home and wedded lives of our subject and his amiable wife. Prior to her marriage Mrs. Cox was engaged in teaching in one of the prominent seminaries of Kentucky for three years.
Mr. Cox in 1873 removed to Chicago and engaged in the live-stock commission business with Robert Strahorn & Co., drawing a salary of $1,800 per year for three years. At the expiration of that period he returned to his farm, where he has since passed his time, with the exception of three months during which time he was solicitor for B. F. Harrison & Co., Chicago.
Mr. Cox is prompt and methodical in his habits, which, combined with steady industry and thrifty management, have been the means of his achieving an assured success while yet in the prime of life. He and his wife are members in good standing of the Baptist Church, and the record of their lives shows them to be true Christians. Mr. Cox is conservative in his political views, and coming from a Democratic family, follows in the footsteps of his forefathers in politics.