Cox attended the local schools and received a law degree from West Virginia University in June 1883.
[2] He established a solo practice in Morgantown, West Virginia, until 1888, when he entered into a partnership with George C. Baker, and was also elected as a prosecuting attorney.
[1][2] Cox also "served as judge advocate general with the rank of brigadier under Gov.
Atkinson", and "was a member and Vice President of the Board of Trade of Morgantown in the 1900's", and sat on the World's Fair Commission for West Virginia in 1904.
Cox was "active and influential both publicly and personally" during World War I, chairing a Liberty Loan drive in Monongalia County.