Political Quotes

“Today I pay tribute to two of the most beloved residents to ever call the St. Johns, Michigan, community home: Orrin and Luvina Wilson. Settling in Clinton County post-Civil War, the Wilsons were a ``power couple'' before the term existed, but it was never about seeking power for themselves. Rather, the Wilsons lived their lives in quiet but devoted and groundbreaking service to their Nation and to their neighbors, and forever changed the face of St. Johns. Orrin was just 16 years old in 1864 when he enlisted in Michigan's all-Black regiment, the 102nd United States Colored Infantry, Company K, out of Kalamazoo, Michigan. He served until the war's end and returned to Michigan, where he met and married his bride. The two would soon settle in St. Johns, where they lived for the next 60 years. In addition to his military service, Orrin was a trailblazer in so many ways. First, he took up the trade of barbering and owned his shop for nearly 50 years, serving a mostly White clientele out of the old Steel Hotel in downtown St. Johns. He was also a founding member of the local chapter of the Grand Army of the Republic, a national union of Civil War veterans, and served as its post commander for a time. Not only was he the only Black member of the St.…”