My Genealogy Hound

Samuel Coker was born in Morgan County, Ill., in 1825, and in 1865 moved to Mercer County, Mo., where he remained until 1869, than locating permanently in Putnam County, Mo. He was reared upon the farm in Morgan County, Ill., and has always been engaged in farming and stock raising. During his early life he received a good common-school education, and when but a young man began life for himself with no capital. He has, however, by industry and good management become the owner of 160 acres of good land upon which he lives, and which is under a fine state of cultivation. In 1849 he was united in marriage to Miss Julia Ann, daughter of John J. and Hester (Blair) Miller, who were born in Tennessee near Nashville, where Mrs. Coker was born. Mrs. Coker, when but a year old, was taken to Morgan County, Ill., and then to Sangamon County, where her mother died, Mr. Miller living until after he had moved to Putnam County. He was of Irish descent and a son of Peter and Mary Miller, natives of Tennessee. Mrs. Miller was of German origin and a daughter of Andrew and Sarah Blair, her father being a native of North Carolina. To Mr. and Mrs. Coker thirteen children have been born: Alexander (deceasecl), Sarah H., Isadore A., Samuel C. and William S. (twins), John D., Charles C., Lizzie D., Irene H., Absalom G., Effie L., Rosa L. and Andrew L. The family are attendants of the Missionary Baptist Church. Mr. Coker is a Democrat in politics as was also his father. To his parents, Dennis and Sarah (Jones) Coker, natives of North Carolina, nine children were born, of whom he was the third. His parents were of Dutch and English descent; the father was a successful farmer and soldier in the War of 1812.