JOHN HAMILTON COSBY,
Son of C. M. and Ann (Mattox) Cosby, was born in Danville, on July 14,
1849. His father died in 1861, his mother in 1864. At Danville, Virginia,
January 19, 1887, he married Mary Smith Wilson, and on
December 17, 1888, their son, John Hamilton, jr., was born. At the age
of eighteen years, Mr. Cosby embarked in the tobacco trade in his native
place. For seven years following he held responsible positions in two
of the principal factories of the city. In 1875 he commenced business
for himself, entering into partnership with F. X. Burton, style of firm
Burton & Cosby. This partnership was dissolved in 1880, when Mr.
Cosby took into partnership with himself his brother Charles M., the
style of the firm being J. H. Cosby & Bro. They at once erected a
large factory, fitted up with all modern appliances, and in which they
now employ an average of two hundred hands. Their plug, twist and
coil tobaccos sell readily in all the principal markets of the country,
and their attention to business and efficient management of the same
promise them an ever increasing trade.
