"Marcus Schottmueller, is born on 13th January 1878, under the sign of the steer, at 12:00 noon." His mother would record each of her children's birth by hand, written in "high" German, in her German prayer book, "Always My God!"
Marcus or "Mike" as he was later known, was born in Germany.

By 1900, Mike, who was now 22 years old, resided with his parents and siblings on Blair Avenue, in St. Louis, Missouri, and was employed as a roofer. His job was to tar roofs. By 1910, he had moved from his family's residence and was boarding with the Widow Wolkinger, and her two children. Mike was still working as a roofer, for a local building contractor.

He registered for the Draft in World War I, and had apparently married, stating that "Florence Schottmueller", was his wife. He also reported his occupation to be that of a "roofer" and was employed by Hammer & Phiffer.

Mike and Florence were parents of six children, the eldest, a son, was 13 years old; while their five daughters, which included a set of 15 month old twins, ranged in age from 4, 9, and 11 years old.

By 1930, Mike had apparently divorced Florence. Mike was reportedly 53 years old.

According to a newspaper account, written in October 1939, tells of another tragic accident: " Schottmueller, 61-year-old circular distributor of 2 Franklin Avenue, was struck Wednesday on the viaduct on Page boulevard west of Hanley road, St. Louis County, by .... manager of a grocery store. ... told deputy constables of Normandy Township that Schottmueller stepped into the path of his machine while walking around a barricade on the sidewalk."

Mike died a day or two later, on October 21, 1939, at County Hospital from injuries he suffered after being struck by the vehicle. He was buried at Calvary Cemetery, St. Louis, Missouri.