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. John's. 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. John's, Charles Grison Post of the Grand army of the Republic, it is believed that he is the only … (12:42–12:54)
CLAIM
Asserts that Oren was a founding member and post commander of the local chapter of the Grand Army of the Republic.
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