David Hiscox was born 4 October 1837 in New Jersey. He was educated principally in public schools and at the Free Academy of New York. He was forced to leave the latter because of failing health. He then worked with his father in the ship timber business. Having managed the business well, and having made some good investments in real estate he raised what was then a small fortune of Wholesale Druggist. After about ten years he had acquired a considerable knowledge of pharmaceutical chemistry. Having accumulated some capital, in 1875 he organized the firm of Hiscox & Co. for the manufacture of propriety medicines. Apparently he formulated four of the concoctions himself.
For several years Hiscox occupied a leading position in his profession. He was a member of the Wholesale Druggists' Association and the Association of Manufacturers and Dealers in Propriety Articles.