Fred P. Cone
| Fred Preston Cone | |
|---|---|
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| 27th Governor of Florida | |
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In office January 5, 1937 – January 7, 1941 |
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| Preceded by | David Sholtz |
| Succeeded by | Spessard Holland |
| Member of the Florida House of Representatives | |
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In office 1907–1913 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born |
September 28, 1871 Benton, Columbia County, Florida |
| Died | July 28, 1948 (aged 76) Lake City, Florida |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Ruby Scarborough (died 1923) Mildred Victoria Thompson |
| Profession | Lawyer, Banker, Politician |
| Religion | Baptist |
Frederick Preston Cone (September 28, 1871 – July 28, 1948) was an American politician who served as the 27th Governor of Florida.
Frederick Preston Cone was born in the Benton community of northern Columbia County, Florida to William Henry Cone and Sarah Emily Branch on September 28, 1871. His father was a state senator prior to the American Civil War. He received his education at the Florida Agricultural College (precursor of the University of Florida) and Jasper Normal College. Although he never received a law degree, in 1892 he passed the Florida bar exam and began a successful law practice in Lake City, Florida. In 1911 Cone and eight other prominent Lake Citians decided to open a bank. With $50,000 in capital, the Columbia County Bank opened in February, 1912 and grew with the community. Cone retained his leadership role on the board of directors until shortly before his death. The bank celebrated its centennial in 2012.
Cone married his first wife, Ruby Scarborough, and the union bore one child in 1902, a daughter named Jessie. Ruby died in 1923. He wed again in 1930 to Mildred Victoria Thompson. He held membership in Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Freemasonry, Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine and Rotary International.
Cone began his political career as Mayor of Lake City, and served three terms there. He was elected to and served in the Florida Senate from 1907 to 1913, serving as the senate president in 1911. Cone was active in national politics, attending the 1924 and 1928 Democratic National Conventions as a delegate before chairing the Florida delegation in 1932.
Cone was elected as Florida governor in November 1936 and was inaugurated on January 5, 1937. He had just turned 65, and he had problems with his health. Subsequent Governor Spessard Holland thought he was too old for the job. It was the height of the Great Depression in the United States, and Florida was suffering like every other state.
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