Laura May SCHLAPIA was born in Benton, Ringgold County, Iowa, on October 24, 1872. She married Albert LeRoy BARCHUS on April 12, 1903, Benton, Iowa. Albert, the son of Obediah BARCHUS (1823-1907) and Margaret (MILLER) BARCHUS (1830-1917).

Laura May and Albert's daughter Laura Mae was born at Pingree, Buchanan County, North Dakota, on June 28, 1905. Nine days later, Laura May, the mother, died on July 9, 1905, perhaps from complications of childbirth. She was interred at Bethel Cemetery near Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa.

Laura Mae's grandparents, John and Parthenia (RAINS) SCHLAPIA took in the infant, raising her until Parthenia died at the age of 62 on December 12, 1906, Benton, Ringgold County, Iowa. (Laura Mae's grandfather John SCHLAPIA died at the age of 67 on January 16, 1914, Benton, Ringgold County, Iowa.)

Upon Parthenia's death, Laura Mae went to live with her aunt Alice Viola (SCHLAPIA) and uncle Millard BYERLY. Alice and Millard raised Laura Mae with their three daughters, Viola Mae, Angie Leota, and Lue Elva.

Laura Mae grew to womanhood under her aunt and uncle's care at Benton, Iowa. She married Doyle Mathis BAKER on March 6, 1938, Diagonal, Iowa.
Doyle Mathis BAKER, the son of Robert Emmett BAKER (1876-1956) and Gertrude Mable (MATHIS) BAKER (1879-1969), was born December 10, 1908. Doyle died March 20, 1980, Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa.

Laura Mae died at the age of 72 years on October 7, 1977, Grinnel, Powesheik County, Iowa. She was interred at the Benton Cemetery, Benton, Ringgold County, Iowa.

Laura Mae's father Albert LeRoy BARCHUS died April 3, 1937, Knowlton, Ringgold County, Iowa, at the age of 72. Alice Viola (SCHLAPIA) BYERLEY was born April 18, 1870, Benton, Iowa, and died May 26, 1932, Waubonsie Township, Ringgold County, Iowa. Millard Fillmore BYERLY was born in Lucas County, Iowa on September 29, 1864, and died November 17, 1934, Benton, Iowa.

Broderbund Family Archive #110, Vol 1 A-L, Edition 6