Laura was the daughter of Allen Smith and Annis Rice. She married William Baskerville on September 6, 1860 in Joliet, IL. They were the parents of George, Hannah, Edith, Grace, Effie, William, Carrie, Edna, and Oscar.

March 1915 - Carroll Times - Mrs. William Baskervllle died at her home on North Court street on Monday, March 15, 1915. Her maiden name was Laura Matilda Smith. She was born in Sheldon Franklin county, Vermont, April 1, 1844. When she was quite young the family moved to Illinois, and she was married to Wm. Baskerville September 6, 1860, at Joliet, Illinois. Soon afterward the young couple settled on a farm near Wilmington, Illinois, built their home and reared a family of nine children, six girls and three boys, G.W., W.R. and O.A. Baskerville of Fonda, Iowa, Mrs. D.G. Martin, Mrs. W.G. Tregloan, Mrs. W.S. Handley, Mrs. W.W. Tregloan, all of Carroll; Mrs C.H. Relf, of Grand Forks, Minn, and Mrs. L.L. Tregloan, of Sheldon, North Dakota, all of whom were at the bedside when the angel of death came except Mrs. L.L. Tregloan who was unable to be present on account of illness.

In March, 1901 the three sons moved to Fonda, Iowa, and one year later the father and mother followed. They lived there a couple of years, then left the farm and moved to Carroll where three daughters had settled. In July, 1909, Mrs. Baskerville was called upon to part with her husband and since then she has kept the fire of love burning brightly for her family in her own home. Mrs. Baskerville was brought up in a Christian home, her mother being a very saintly woman, and she became a Christian at an early age.

She was a member of the M.E. church but because of ill health she has been unable to attend for a great many years. If we wished to express her character in a few words we might say that in all things she was pre-eminent. Mrs. Baskerville never remembered herself but was constantly thinking of others, even to the last hours of her life. She was quick to respond to the cry of need and her life was filled with such service. She realized that "the truly great are those who do most for others."

She lives so, that the example of her character was a help and an inspiration to her children who rise up and call her lessed. She desired to live a quiet life of assistance, and wished never to be obliged to be cared for by any one. Up to the time of her illness Mrs. Baskerville was in her usual health, death came quickly and she was ready and happy to go, there to watch and wait for the dear ones who are still toiling here. Besides her immediate family she leaves to mourn her loss three brothers and two sisters.

Services were conducted at her home by Rev. J.W. Taylor, a former pastor who had passed through severe trials with the family. He was assisted by Rev. S. Grant Lewis, the present Pastor and Rev. J.P. Lester the Presbyterian pastor. Truly her life was like her Savior's who came not to be ministered unto but to minister. Her body was laid to rest beside her husband in the Carroll cemetery.

Wait just inside the Pearly Gate, Mother
Until your children come.
Your going out of our earthly life, little mother
Has darkened the earthly sun.

Miss Flossie Martin, a teacher at Osage, and Laura, a student at Ames, came to be present at their grandmother's funeral. Charles Baskerville, a grandchild, of Jolly, Iowa, was also present. Mr. Silas Smith, a brother from Joliet, Illinois, arrived too late for the funeral. Mrs. L.L. Tregloan owing to the shock of her mother's sudden death, is lying critically ill at her home in Sheldon, North Dakota.