Page 129 of Walter Romig's Michigan Place Names
"Cone, Monroe County:
Lumberman John C. Cone became the first postmaster of West Milan (named from its location in Milan Township) on Aug. 4, 1869; in 1880, the Wabash Railroad opened a station here calling it Cone and on Jan. 27, 1882, the name of the post office was changed to correspond [Buckley; Wing; PO Archives]."
In the early 1830's, Erastus S. Cone bought farmland in the southwest part of Milan Township. That area became known as "West Milan" at the time. He had six children, including John C. Cone, who later became postmaster of West Milan.
Erastus and his wife were divorced. Then Erastus married again, and had 11 more children by his second wife.
The railroad undoubtedly named its West Milan station "Cone" because so many people living in the area had that last name by birth or marriage.
Cone is located south of Milan on Cone Road, west of US-23. There is little left today of the former community.