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EUGENE R. COKER
Vol. 3, p. 1180

That authoritative technical knowledge which is to be gained only
through careful training and varied experience makes Mr. Coker an
expert in the milling business, with which he has been identified in
an active way from early youth, and his ability is attested when it
is noted that he is at the present time manager of the REA & READ
Mill & Elevator Company, one of the foremost corporations of its kind
in the eastern part of Oklahoma. The brands of flour manufactured are
"Dinner Party", "Main Line Special,:" "Peach," "Tulsa Star," and
"Rich and Rare." Special attention is given also to the manufacturing
of "Rich and Rare" kiln-dried corn meal, chop and bran, and all of
the admirable products issued from the mills of the representative
company find wide and appreciate demand.

Eugene R. Coke was born at McLeansboro, Hamilton County, Illinois,
on the 12th of January 1874, and is a son of William A. and Emily
(DAVIS) Coker, both natives of Hamilton County, Illinois. Of the four
children two died in infancy and the subject of this review is the
elder of the two surviving, his brother, Clarence, being a resident
of Slater, Missouri.

William A. Coker, a representative of a sterling pioneer family of
Illinois, was reared and educated in Hamilton County, that state, and
as a young man he became a pioneer in the operation of a flour mill
at McLeansboro, Hamilton County, Illinois, where he continued his
residence until 1896, when he removed with his family to the City of
Paducah, Kentucky. After having there been concerned with the same
line of industrial enterprise for some time he removed to Bellflower,
Montgomery County, Missouri, where he operated a grain elevator until
his removal to Slater, Saline County, that state, where he is at the
present time engaged in the operation of a mill and elevator, being
also a member of the St. Louis Exchange. He is a stalwart republican
in politics, is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity, and both he
and his wife hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church.

The public schools of his native town afforded to Eugene R. Coker
his early educational advantages and there also he learned the
milling business under the effective direction of his father, with
whom he continued to be associated in this field of enterprise after
the family removal to Paducah, Kentucky. In 1900 he sold his interest
in their business in that city and engaged in the operation of a mill
at Shawneetown, Illinois. He finally sold this business and removed
to bellflower, Missouri, where he continued to be associated with the
William Pollock Milling & Elevator Company until June, 1913, when he
purchased a third interest in the Rea & Read Mill & Elevator Company,
of Tulsa, of which he has since been secretary, treasurer and general
manager, his technical and administrative ability having been proved
potent in advancing the prosperity of the enterprise and in bringing
all products up to the highest standard, the company with which he is
thus identified representing one of the most important enterprises in
the City of Tulsa and he himself having secure prestige as an able
and progressive business man and loyal and public-spirited citizen.

In politics, Mr. Coker is aligned as a staunch supporter of the
cause of the republican party, though he is essentially a business
man and has had no desire for political office. He is actively
identified with the Tulsa Traffic Association, the Tulsa Commercial
Club and the Rotary Club, and is affiliated with Delta Lodge, No.
424, Ancient and Free Masons.

On the 17th of December, 1900, Mr. Coker wedded Miss Ollie A.
SEVERS, who likewise was born and reared at McLeansboro, Hamilton
County, Illinois, and who was his schoolmate in their youth. Mr. And
Mrs. Coker have two children, a son and daughter, Geraldin and
Haskell.

Typed for OKGenWeb by Jacque Pearce Reynolds 27 October 1998.