Born in Independence, Cuyahoga County, Ohio. Enlisted in the 72nd Ohio Infantry for three years. Mustered in as a Private in Company H at Camp Chase, Ohio on 18 Feb 1862. Re-enlisted as a Veteran Volunteer. Mustered out with his Company at Vicksburg, Mississippi. After the Civil War he served in the 2nd U.S. Artillery. A member of Custer Post No. 6 of Tacoma, Pierce County, Washington. On 25 Feb 1895 he was admitted to the Washington State Soldiers Home at Orting, Pierce County, Washington (Orting) for the first time and discharged on 3 Jun 1895. He would be re-admitted to Orting and discharged three times between 16 Aug 1895 and 16 Mar 1898. On 11 Nov 1901 he was admitted to the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers at Sawtelle, Los Angeles County, California (Sawtelle) for the first time and discharged at his own request on 3 Jul 1902. He was re-admitted to Orting on 14 Jul 1903 and discharged at his own request on 29 Nov 1904. He was re-admitted to Sawtelle on 16 Oct 1908 and discharged at his own request on 3 May 1909. He was re-admitted to Orting for the final time on 9 Jun 1910 and discharged on 16 Mar 1911. He would be re-admitted to Sawtelle and discharged at his own request five times between 21 Oct 1911 and 10 May 1920. He was re-admitted to Sawtelle for the final time on 16 Jul 1921 where he would die. Sawtelle records spell his last name as "Mallett".