Frederick Preston Cone (September 28, 1871 – July 28, 1948) was an American New Deal Democratic politician who served as the 27th Governor of Florida.
Early life
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
Personal
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.
At that time, Florida governors held little real power; they were primarily figureheads for the state. The 1885 state constitution severely limited the governor's power – a reaction to the bitter memories of the reconstruction era following the Civil War. The governor was just one of seven elected cabinet members; only the governor was limited to a single 4-year term. Political scientist V. O. Key, Jr. described politics in Florida as "every man for himself".
Accomplishments
During his term, the Florida Highway Patrol was created, and although Cone opposed new taxes, he funded the agency by fees assessed on driver's licenses.
Decision
In 1940 Cone made an unsuccessful bid for the U.S. Senate seat previously held by Park Trammell, who had died in office several years earlier. Cone was defeated in the Democratic primary by incumbent Charles O. Andrews, who easily won the general election.