COCO, Ferdinand Baldwin, Moreauville, Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana
Submitted by Randy DeCuir




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Hon. F. B. Coco, of Moreauville, is one of leading planters in this section.
The Coco family is one of the oldest in this part of Louisiana, and one of the
most eminently respected. Dominique Coco, subject's grandfather, having made
his advent into this country with Gen. Lafayette during the Revolutionary War.
The name, Coco, is not the real family name, but a nickname given Dominique
Baldonide (Coco), who was a native of Italy. Shortly after the Revolutionary
War he came to Louisiana and was engaged for some time in trafficking with the
Indian tribes on Red River. He married in Pointe Coupee Parish, but
subsequently removed to what is now Avoyelles Parish, where he was among the
first settlers. The issue of this marriage was two sons, Dominique (subject's
father) and Joseph, who died without issue. Dominique Coco, Jr., married Miss
Zoe Juneau, and to them were born seven children   three sons and four
daughters   of whom our subject is the youngest. He subsequently married his
second and third wives. To the second marriage were born six sons and one
daughter, and to the third union there was born one son. Mr. Coco was probably
the wealthiest man in the parish at the time of his death, which occurred in
1864, not being worth less than a half million of dollars at the time the
Civil War commenced. 18 F. B. Coco prepared for college in the schools
of Avoyelles Parish, and took a two years' course in St. Charles College, St.
Landry Parish, La. In 1841 he entered the office of the parish judge as his
clerk, acting at the same time as notary public. In 1846 he was elected
recorder, the office having just been created, and he was the first one to
fill that position in Avoyelles Parish, serving three years. Afterward he
devoted his time to planting. In 1862 he was appointed assessor of Avoyelles
Parish for the Confederate States, in which capacity he served during the
whole war. He was elected a member of the Lower House of the Legislature in
1879 and served one term. In 1888 he was appointed a member of the police jury
from Ward 6. In 1852 he was married to Miss Sarah L. Baillio, daughter of
Judge Baillio, who served as parish judge in Avoyelles Parish from 1840 to
1849. Judge Baillio was a prominent man and died in Alexandria in 1889 at the
age of seventy-eight years. To Mr. and Mrs. Coco were born three children: Zoe
(deceased), Rebecca (now Mrs. L. S. Coco) and E. D. Baldwin (of Cottonport).
The family are members of the Catholic Church. Mr. Coco is one of the old
landmarks of Avoyelles Parish, and is a highly honored citizen, and although
advanced in years time has dealt kindly with him, for he is still active and
vigorous.