Born in Ohio. Enlisted in the 173rd Ohio Infantry for one year. Mustered in to Company K at Gallipolis, Gallia County, Ohio on 15 Sep 1864. Appointed 1st Lieutenant of Company K on 16 Sep 1864. Mustered out with his Company at Nashville, Tennessee on 26 Jun 1865. Discharged at Camp Dennison, Ohio. A member of Custer Post No. 6 of Tacoma, Pierce County, Washington. In 1884 served as Post Adjutant. A charter member of Phil H. Sheridan Post No. 44 of Tacoma, Washington. Served as the first Post Quartermaster in 1889, Post Adjutant in 1890, and Post Commander in 1892. Died in Tacoma, Washington. He is buried in a G.A.R. section of the cemetery. His headstone mistakenly has his last name as "Margum".