Judge John A. Cone
Judge John A. Cone was born January 17, 1836. in the city of Delaware, Ohio. His father's name was John W. Cone and his mother's name was Mary (Williams) Cone. The father was a pioneer of Delaware County, having been born in that portion of the county which comprises Kingston Township, in the year 1809. His mother, Mary Williams, was born in South Wales.
The subject of this sketch grew to manhood in Thompson Township and he received his early education in the public schools of that township. He attended the Ohio Wesleyan University during the years 1858 and 1859 and began the study of law with the firm of Reid & Eaton in the year 1861. During the time he was completing his course in law, he taught in the public schools in this and other counties and he was admitted to the Bar by the District Court of this county in the year 1865. He immediately opened an office in Delaware and began the practice of his chosen profession. He became the editor of the Delaware Weekly Herald for about six months of the year 1867. In the year 1868 Mr. Cone settled in Delhi (now Radnor), in Radnor Township, Delaware County, where he resided for about thirty years and continued the practice of his profession. He was elected justice of the peace of that township, which office he held for eighteen successive years. At the same time he became clerk of that township, which position be held for sixteen years. He also had charge of the public schools of that village at this time, which he taught for many years. During the time that John T. Evans was clerk of the court of Delaware County. Mr. Cone occupied the position as his deputy for about two years. Mr. Cone was also postmaster of the village of Radnor for many years during the time he lived there. He returned to Delaware and opened an office for the practice of his profession in the spring of 1897. He was nominated for the office of probate judge by the Democratic party of Delaware County in the summer of 1905, to which office he was duly elected in November of that year. He assumed the responsibility of his office February 9, 1906. and is the present incumbent.
In the early part of the Civil War Mr. Cone enlisted as a private in Company C. Eighty-sixth Regiment, O. V. I., and served until the discharge of the regiment. He again enlisted on the second day of May. 1864, in Company E, One Hundred and Forty-fifth Regiment, O. V. I., and he became the first lieutenant of his company and served with the command until the regiment was discharged August 24, 1864. Fraternally, Mr. Cone is a member of George B. Torrence Post, G. A. R., and is affiliated with Radnor Lodge, I. O. O. F.
From 20th Century History of Delaware County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens, Edited and compiled by James R. Lytle, Delaware, Ohio, Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1908