GREAT GRANDPARENTS: John Schell & Mary Deadman

John Schell & Mary Deadman with eldest sons George & John

My grandfather George Schell was the eldest child of John Schell and Mary Deadman.

John Schell was born January 13, 1867 in Innisfil Township, Simcoe County, Canada West, the eldest son of John Alexander Schell and Mary Jane Ross.  During his young years, his parents and siblings lived with his grandparents: Benjamin Schell & Mary McGill.  The 1871 census of Canada shows the 3 generation family in Innisfil Township.  He continued the family tradition of being a farmer.

Mary Deadman was born Feburary 9, 1874 in Tosorontio Township, Simcoe County, Ontario, the eldest daughter of George Deadman and Rebecca Gauley.  The family moved to nearby Sunnidale Township during Mary's childhood.

John and Mary were married April 24, 1894 in Stayner, Nottawasaga Township, Simcoe County, Ontario.  John's sister Margaret was a witness to the marriage.  On November 25, 1895, John & Mary were witnesses at the marriage of Margaret to Jacob Elias Prentice (Prentis).

Barn at Brentwood farm

Johna & Mary were the parents of 10 children: 8 sons (George, John, Alfred, Robert, William, Wesley, Edward and Stanley) and 2 daughters (Maud and Margaret).  John died May 24, 1916 in Brentwood, Sunnidale Township, Simcoe County, Ontario at the farm that he had purchased just a short time before from Thomas Bates (the future father-in-law of son George). 

Widow Mary Schell (nee Deadman) with her children.

Widow Mary was left to raise their relatively young family, although son George was old enough to take over the operation of the farm.  When George married Irene Bates in 1927, she moved into the farm house and they raised their three children, along with widow Mary and her children until they moved out.  Several of the sons moved to Ohio and Michigan for work, although Wes and Will returned to Ontario after a few years.  The farm was always viewed as home to them and would visit frequently.  As a result, my mother grew up knowing her Schell aunts, uncles and cousins.

House built by son George on Schell farm in Brentwood

The original farm house was replaced by a new home built by George.  Although the farm land was sold off by George and wife Irene in the 1960's, part of the land is still in the family:  George and Irene's granddaughter Mary Louise (nee Schell) Bowyer and her husband Chris raised their three daughters there and continue to operate Bowyer Taxidermy from the home.

At least part of the farm in Brentwood has been in the Schell family for over 100 years.

Mary died November 23, 1940 at home in Brentwood.  My mother remembers the death of her grandmother.

Barrie Examiner (Barrie, Ontario). December 12, 1940. p. 3, column 3 "Brentwood"

Mary was buried on November 26, 1940 with husband John in the Glencairn Union Cemetery at Glencairn, Tossorontio Township, Simcoe County, Ontario. 

Son Alfred, who never married, was buried with his parents in 1952.  Another son who never married, Stanley, was also buried with them when he died in 1966.  His name appears on the other side of the headstone.

Both John Schell and Mary Deadman died long before I was born, but having grown up spending time at the Schell farm house in Brentwood, I grew up knowing and hearing about them.