COX, JACOB DOLSON (15 May 1852-23 Feb. 1930) co-founded the Cleveland manufacturing firm of Cox and Prentiss, an ancestor of the ACME-CLEVELAND CORPORATION. He was born in Warren, OH, to Jacob Dolson and Helen Finney Cox. His father, a lawyer, was the 22nd governor of Ohio (1865-67) and Secretary of the Interior under President Grant. Educated in public schools, at 17 Cox began learning the iron business, working at the Cleveland Iron Co. and the CUYAHOGA STEAM FURNACE COMPANY. In June 1876 he became a partner in a twist drill manufacturing concern in Dunkirk, NY, which moved to Cleveland a few months later; in 1880 the firm became Cox and Prentiss. Although he retired from the business in 1905, Cox succeeded partner FRANCIS FLEURY PRENTISS as president of the company, then called Cleveland Twist Drill.
Cox married Ellen Atwood Prentiss in 1878 in Cleveland. The couple lived on EUCLID AVENUE with their 3 children, Jeannette P. (Mrs. Gordon) Morrill, Samuel H., and JACOB DOLSON COX, JR. Cox served on the boards of directors of the Cleveland Trust Co. (see AMERITRUST) and the Cleveland & Pittsburgh Railroad Company, was a trustee of Case School of Applied Sciences (1898-1918, see CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY), and was among the original members of the Chamber of Commerce. Cox enjoyed yachting, photography, and travel. He died at his winter home in Pasadena, CA, and is buried in LAKE VIEW CEMETERY.