Matthew D Coats was born the 3rd of Apr 1867 in Texas Co MO, the son of John Henry Coats & Millie Douglas. He was first married to Annie Hawkins in Grayson TX on the 7th of February 1891. There were 5 children born to this marriage; Walter Henry, Minnie Lee, Milo, Ernest Leslie and Jessie May. Sometime between 1905 and 1910 they were divorced and Matthew then married Minnie Thompson on the 9th of December 1910. To this marriage there were 7 more children born. They were - Millie Etta, Metta Lee, Jewel Monroe, Geneva Jane, Myrtle Lou and the twins Emma and Imma.

Matthew died on the 20th of November 1937, Minnie following him several years later on April 10, 1948. They are buried together at the Boggy Depot Cemetery in Atoka Co OK.