Who is Mark Manton from Ragged Dick and Mark, the Match Boy and what is their importance?

Mark Manton is an orphan who survives by selling matches. He had lived with his mother until she had died the year before. Since he had had no place to go, he had gone to live with Mother Watson in the shabby rooming house. She is very cruel to him and he rarely has much to eat if Mrs. Flanagan, the downstairs neighbor, doesn't feed him. Mother Watson takes all of the money he earns and sends him out to beg for money. She cares nothing for him and is only interested in the little money that he can bring her. Mark's discussion with Ben shows him that he can change his circumstances. He spends the night sleeping on the ferry rather than face another beating from the Watson woman.