Dr. Peyton B. Coker 1835-1893 Source: The Goodspeed Publishing Co., 1889 submitted by Michael Brown Photo furnished by Jack James Dr. Peyton B. Coker physician and farmer of Big Creek Township, was born in Bibb County, Ala., in 1835, and is a son of Robert and Sarah (Myers) Coker, natives of Lawrenceburg District, S. C., and Georgia, respectively. They removed from Alabama to Mississippi in 1847, where their respective deaths occurred in 1881 and 1887. Philip Coker, the grandfather, was born in South Carolina, and died in Georgia. Dr. Coker is one of a family of twelve children, being reared upon a farm his early education was received at a country school. He read medicine from 1856 until 1860, and the following winter attended the Memphis Medical College. He began to practice in Tishomingo County, Miss., and until 1870 practiced in that State. He then came to Sebastian County, and having taught school prior to the war continued that vocation one year, since which time he has devoted his attention to farming and medicine. In August, 1861, he enlisted as a Chickasaw Ranger, in Martin's battalion, of Steward's brigade, and served in the Virginia army until discharged on account of ill health the following December. He afterward served in different capacities, and he fought at the battle of Shiloh. In June, 1863, he married Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas and Sarah Rogers, natives of North Carolina and Georgia. Mr. Rogers died in 1886, but his widow is now living. Mrs. Coker was born in Georgia, and has borne the Doctor eleven children, of whom nine are living, and have enjoyed the advantages of a good education. Dr. Coker has been a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, for thirty-one years, having held many offices in the meantime, and his wife belongs to the same denomination. Dr. Coker owns a nice farm of 320 acres as a result of his labor. He has always been a Democrat, and for a short time served as justice of the peace. He is a demitted member of the Masonic fraternity. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dr. Payton Bibb Coker was born on December 5, 1835 in Bibb County, Alabama. He was one of twelve children born to Robert and Sarah Coker. Robert was an early pioneer of Lawrenceburg District, South Carolina. Not much is recorded of Dr. Coker's early years but he studied medicine from 1856 to 1860 and attended the Memphis Medical College. He began his first practice in Tishmingo Couty Mississippi. In August 1861, he enlisted as a Chickasaw Ranger, in Martin's battalion in Steward's brigade and served in the Virginia army until he was discharged due to ill health that next December. Afterward, he served in different capacities and fought at the Battle of Shiloh. He married Sarah Elizabeth Rogers on June 30, 1863 and they made their home in New Albany, Mississippi. The Coker's had three children between the years of 1867 and 1869; Loila, Thomas and Amanda Zorena ("Rena"). In about 1870, Dr. Coker and his family moved west, traveling by land and by boat. They came up the Arkanss river and landed at Myer's Landing, just four miles above the present city of Lavaca. Dr. Coker established a homestead of 320 hundred acres in the Big Creek Township and a home in what is now Lavaca and began practicing medicine in town. In addition to his medical practice, Dr. Coker developed extensive farming and cattle interests. He was a Democrat and was a justice of the peace for a short time. He was a leader in bringing together four or five families for worship and fellowship. This led to the organization and establishment of the Methodist Church of Lavaca which has continued to serve the community for well ovr 100 years. When Dr. Coker died on October 19, 1893, the church bells at the Methodist Church announced his passing. He was buried at the Lavaca City Cemetery.