Mary Emma Strayer was born 5 November 1855 in Ohio (Greene County unconfirmed). She was the fourth of ten children born to H. Abraham Strayer and Harriett Ales Howard. Currently, little is known of Mary's childhood.

Mary Emma STRAYER HUGHES was an adventurous young woman. In 1883, she travelled toMedicine Lodge, Barber County, Kansas. Most likely she departed from Iowa. You can read her letter dated12 August 1883. At Medicine Lodge, she worked for the Fields family for room and board. While there, she took the opportunity to file a claim on some land in that area.

On 30 April 1884, While Mary Emma was living at Medicine Lodge, Henry Brown, Sheriff of Caldwell, Kansas and some of his outlaw buddys robbed the bank in Medicine Lodge. Mary's letter to her mother dated 4 May 1884 was written just a few days after the bank robbery. (This account is recorded in TIME LIFE BOOKS, THE GUNFIGHTERS, page 110).

On 25 November 1885, she married Leroy HUGHES, who had come to Medicine Lodge with his three youngest children. Their first child, Minnie Hughes was born at Medicine Lodge.

Sons, Leroy and Benn were born at Guthrie, Logan Co., Oklahoma Territory.

In the spring of 1901, the HUGHES', moved to Woodward County, Oklahoma Territory. When they arrived, they had 3 horses, 2 cows, a tent, $30.00 and a few farming implements. They settled near Loewen; about 9 miles south of present day Shattuck, Ellis County, Oklahoma. In December 1903, they were still struggling. On Christmas Day, a package arrived, the generous gifts of family and friends that year, helped them make ends meet. On 2 January 1904, Mary wrote to her sister "Mattie " Crippen of Davenport, Scott Co., IA asking her to thank those who had sent the gifts. You can see Mary's 1904 letter by going to Early Ellis Settlers (Ellis Co. OklahomaGenWeb).

By 1905, Leroy and Mary Emma were doing well. After only four years, their hard work had paid off. On 14 December 1905 THE HOMESTEADER newspaper published an article about Leroy's success.

In 1909, the HUGHES' family moved to Stillwater, Payne Co., Oklahoma. They purchased a farm and a couple of small houses which they rented out. Leroy died in 1911. Less than 6 months later, Mary died also.