Frederick Preston Cone was born in Benton, Florida on September 28, 1871. He attended Florida Agricultural College and Jasper Normal College, and was admitted to the bar in 1892. He became a banker and lawyer in Lake City, Florida. He was elected mayor of Lake City for three terms. He served in the State Senate from 1907-1913, and was President of the Senate in 1911.
In 1936, Cone won the Democratic gubernatorial nomination and then defeated Republican E.E. Callaway in the general election. As governor, Cone oversaw the State sponsored exhibit at the New York World's Fair, urged the licensing of drivers to collect funds for the highway patrol, and fought new taxes. After leaving office he returned to Lake City where he again became a banker. He died there on July 18, 1948.
From the description of Correspondence, 1937-1941. (Florida State Archive). WorldCat record id: 32413878
