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File contributed to the Fulton County ILGenWeb Project
Copyright 2008, all rights reserved.

These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format 
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Source: Atlas Map of Fulton County, Illinois, 
Andreas, Lyter, and Co., Davenport, Iowa. 1871
(page 39)

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Joseph Cone, the subject of this sketch, was born in Haddam, Connecticut, on the 29th day of January, 1779. His parents then moved to Farmington, Connecticut. He was engaged in the southern trade, where he made his first start. He was married in 1808 to Elizabeth Cander, daughter of David Cander, of Harwington, Conn. She was born in 1788 and died in 1856. They had six sons, and raised them all, and they are still living. The oldest three reside in Fulton county, Illinois. Henry, who is now 62 years of age, has a very large farm -- indeed, one of the finest in Fulton county -- on section 1. His family consists of four girls and two boys. Joseph, the second son, is now 58 years old. He resides in the town of Farmington. Spencer, the third son, is 55 years of age, and has a family consisting of four boys and one girl. David and George now reside at Galva, Illinois. Charles, the youngest son, now lives in Iowa. 
    
Mr. Cone emigrated to Farmington township in 1833, and settled on the south-west quarter of section 1. He came in the spring, and lived in a log cabin that was on the farm at the time of his purchase. In 1836 he built the house which now stands on the ground where the old cabin was first built. His son Henry now resides at the old homestead. He was a man who was beloved by all who knew him, and never aspired to any position but to be a model farmer. The old homestead consisted of three quarter sections. Mr. Cone was always a strict temperance man, and would never sell a lot to any person who proposed him any way, shape, or manner to engage in the sale of intoxicating drink. He was always very liberal in giving his money and time for the promotion of education and for the advancement of moral and religious objects in the town and community. Mr. and Mrs. Cone were both members of the church, being among the first to organize a church in Farmington, which was done in 1836, they being Congregationalists. When Mr. Cone came to Chicago, in 1833, he could have purchased the land where Chicago now stands for a good horse. When they settled upon the old homestead the red men were often at their cabin and on the best of terms. Wild animals were numerous, such as deer, fox, and wolves. 
    
Mr. Cone was a man of strict integrity, honorable in his dealings, always generous and courteous, and universally esteemed by his acquaintances and neighbors. He was one of the gentlemen who laid out and gave the name to the town of Farmington.