Lafayette Calhoun Cooper was born around 1842 in Franklin County, Georgia, to Temple Franklin Cooper and Unity Patrick. His father was a lawyer who owned $5,000 of real estate and $15,000 of personal property in 1860. Cooper grew up and attended school in Franklin County. He enlisted in the Confederate army on April 24, 1861, in Athens, Georgia, and mustered in as a corporal in the Troup County Georgia Light Artillery on May 8, 1861. He was promoted to sergeant in 1862, and he eventually received a promotion to 2nd lieutenant. The regiment took part in the Seven Days Battles, the Battle of Cold Harbor, and the Siege of Petersburg. Cooper moved to Texas sometime before 1867 and began working as a merchant. By 1870, he was living in Freestone County, Texas, and he owned $3,000 of personal property. He died sometime after 1870.