Gov James M. Cox

Governor James M. Cox was a visionary and highly successful businessman. He founded what is known today as Cox Media Group, one of the largest communications companies in the world, comprising of newspapers, television, and radio stations. Cox was a major force in local, state, and national politics. He represented Dayton in Congress for two terms and served as Governor of Ohio for three terms. As governor, he was responsible for creating the state’s workers’ compensation system which became a model for other states.

He secured state aid for Dayton after the 1913 flood and helped create the Miami Conservancy District. In 1920, he was the Democratic nominee for President of the United States, running with vice-presidential nominee Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Unfortunately, the ticket lost to Warren G. Harding. James Cox became an important advisor when FDR became president.