Mary Jane Smith and her brother Charles moved to Michigan from New York with their parents sometime (most likely) between 1855 and 1860. She had at least three siblings: sisters Hannah and Emily Smith, and half-brother John Robert Fewlass (known as Robert). Her father, Charles Smith Sr., came from New York State, likely Naples, NY, while her mother Mary Jane Brown, known as Jane, was born in England. Mary Jane Brown had previously been married to George Fewlass; John Robert was their son.

Admittedly, the fact that both mother and daughter were named Mary Jane has caused some confusion in tracing them. Also, identification of them both has been difficult given the strong family resemblance, but fortunately we have found clearly-labeled photos of each.

Mary Jane married Robert H. Lewis (1835-1896) in the early 1860's and raised four children. Cary Oscearo, the eldest, was likely born in St. Joseph, Michigan. Albert Lafayette, their second son, was born in Goshen, Elkhart County, IN, in 1868. Their last two children, Robert A. and Emily Isola, were both born in the Clam Lake area of Cadillac, Wexford County, Michigan.

Mary Jane died May 8, 1907, and is buried in Cadillac, Michigan.