Born at Schell's Bush in Herkimer County.
Baptized 7 October 1770
as Marcus Christian Schell
at Stone Arabia, Herkimer, New York.
Died at Worth Township in Sanilac County.

Married Delila CASLER
{born - 15 June 1776
at German Flatts, Herkimer, New York
died - about 1841
at Markham Township, York, Ontario.

Marcus and Delila were parents of 13 children;
Michael, Frederick, Delila, Marillis Margaret,
Mary Elizabeth, Peter, Michael, John, David, Eve, Nancy, Mary, Catherine.

SCHELL'S BUSH - Herkimer County, New York:
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Mark and his twin brother, Henry, were nearly eleven years old when they were captured and taken to Canada by the Tories and Indians; the boys and savages got along very well together and became quite attached to each other; the lads learned the Indian language. They were, and remained, the friends of the Indians during the rest of their lives.
When Henry and Mark had settled in Upper Canada, any Indian who appeared in their neighborhood received their hospitality.
During their captivity in Canada they lived for the first two years under the command of General Murray in Quebec.
The twins, showing themselves bright young men, then attracted the notice of Captain Laws, an officer in the British army. By some negotiation he got them away from the Indians and kept them under his own supervision and care for the next six years.
Mark was placed out as an apprentice to learn the tailoring trade. Henry became
the favorite of the Captain and was his companion in his various journeys.
After being away for eight years, the twins became more homesick.
The more they conversed with each other about their family and friends, the more they longed to return home. They did not fear the distance; the country was at peace. Their ingenuity would furnish them the means to reach their destination.
They decided to undertake the journey, and bid farewell to their Canadian friends. To defray the expenses of their long journey, they furnished themselves with pins, needles, and trinkets to sell along the way - which had to be traveled entirely on foot.
It did not take long to accomplish their journey, for they did not linger on the way. The attractions of Schell's Bush furnished them speed on their march.
But what a change! The old home was not the same - the large blockhouse was not there. Their mother has grown older; and where is their father? Denis is missing - Fred is lame - Eve is deformed. But after all the afflictions and calamities, the Schells rejoiced in meeting the twins who had been given up for lost or dead, have returned! The suddenness of delight mixed tears of joy, many smiles, and laughs of bliss. Their too recent misfortunes are for awhile forgotten. All the neighbors soon appeared to welcome Henry and Mark home. The boys of the neighborhood filled the yard and cannot get through shaking hands with their former playmates: the girls also crowd around Henry and Mark, and marvel at their noble countenance and manly bearing. The twins feel that the Mohawk Valley is the happiest place on earth. After joyful demonstrations of the happy reunion, the events, occurrences and incidents of both sides have to be told and retold. The losses and afflictions have to be lamented again. The death of their father and brother is again cause for mourning. Wounds already healed are reopened. Hardship and suffering cause again a shuddering. Brave deeds of the war make again their bosoms swell. The losses of the neighborhood are recounted and pitied. Anger rises in their breasts at the traitorous Tories: a sigh is heaved at the remembrance of the war. All are thankful that the bad times are over and that there is a happy reunion in the Schell family.
Mark married Delila Casler and settled in Markham; near the home of Henry Schell. The twins always sought each other's company. A great affection always existed between the twins.
Later, after the death of his wife, he moved to Worth Township in Sanilac County, Michigan where he made his home with his son, Peter.

Between 1812-1814 he served as a Private in Captain Arnold's Regiment; 1st York (British).

Mark died from an accident: going from the village of Lexington, Michigan to his home. In crossing a creek and stepping from one stone to another, he missed his step and fell on a washboard he was carrying under his arm; his side was punctured by the sharp edge and the result proved fatal. During his illness, his twin brother Henry, then 75 years old, walked all the way from Ingersoll, Ontario to Sanilac county to visit his dying twin brother.
Interred in Bardwell Cemetery in the vicinity of Worth/Amadore Township, Sanilac.