Judge Willis A. Cox was born in Kenton county, Ky., Jan. 26, 1841.  He was educated in public schools, and lived on a farm until 1876.  Then he took up the business of carpenter and builder, following it for some years.  In 1862 he married Miss Fannie Rusk, and two sons and a daughter were born to them.  On of the sons is a popular druggist, R. H. Cox; the second, Marvin, is a clerk in the store; the daughter is Mrs. Dr. C. W, McCullom or Erlanger.   

Judge Cox served eleven years as deputy jailer of Kenton county, and during Cleveland's second administration was resident deputy United States Marshall in Covington.  In 1895 he came to Dayton, and in 1897 was elected police judge of the city.  His long familiarity with Kentucky law and practice stands him in good stead in his office.  Judge Cox is popular, and his election in 1897 was by a good majority.