Born in West Bloomfield, Ontario County, New York. A resident of Wellsville, Allegany County, New York when he enlisted in the 16th New York Heavy Artillery for three years at Salem, Washington County, New York. Mustered in as an unassigned Private on 5 Jan 1864. Assigned to Company K on 23 Sep 1864. Promoted to Sergeant on 30 Jul 1865. Mustered out with his Company at Washington, DC. A member of Custer Post No. 6 of Tacoma, Pierce County, Washington. Died in Tacoma, Washington. His enlistment records list his date of birth as 31 Aug 1837, contradicting the date on his crypt cover. Some military records spell his last name as "Mackin".