Born in Ohio. Enlisted in the 8th Ohio Cavalry for three years. Mustered in as a Private in Company I at Camp Dennison, Ohio on 9 Apr 1864. Mustered out with his Company at Clarksburg, Harrison County, West Virginia. A member of W. S. Hancock Post No. 43 of Cosmopolis, Grays Harbor County, Washington. Served the Post as Adjutant in 1888 and Commander in 1891. Later joined Custer Post No. 6 of Tacoma, Pierce County, Washington. The last post he belonged to was Sedgwick Post No. 10 of Salem, Marion County, Oregon. Admitted to the Oregon State Soldiers Home at Roseburg, Douglas County, Oregon on 29 Dec 1917 where he died. There is also a gravestone for him in the Roseburg National Cemetery at Roseburg, Oregon. Various military records list his first name as "Melchton", "Malanthon" and "Malanthian", while his pension records list his first name as "Melancthon".