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Any photos not otherwise credited are from the personal collection of Frank Passic, Albion Historian.
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Morning Star, May 24, 2015, pg. 31 Each year at this time we feature one of Albion’s Civil War soldiers. Rienzi Loud (1837-1896) was a prominent late-19th century Albion attorney. His family home was at 612 N. Eaton St. Rienzi established his practice here following the War on S. Superior St. on the 2nd floor above the National Exchange Bank of Albion. Loud was known for his excellent public speaking abilities and command of language. A well-respected trial lawyer, he even established an office in Detroit from 1876 to 1880, and for many years maintained an office in Jackson where he conducted the majority of his business. In the final years of his life his office was located in the Irwin Block on the southeast corner of Superior and Erie Sts. Loud was a native of East Abington, Massachusetts. He came to Michigan in 1859 where he taught school in Dowagiac. During the Civil War in August 1861, he enlisted in Company A of the 1st Michigan Cavalry Volunteers, where he served as Quartermaster Sergeant of Company A. While serving he took part in the battles of Warrington, Culpepper, Leesburg, Cedar Mountain, and the second Battle of Bull Run. After subsequently serving as a recruiter, he was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant in Company B of the 5th Massachusetts (Colored) Cavalry on March 3, 1864 by Governor Andrews, and was part of the first attack on Petersburg. In those days white officers would command colored troops. He was also confined in the Hammond General Hospital at Lookout Point, Maryland for six weeks in July and August, 1864. He was then promoted to 1st Lieutenant on October 15 of that same year. Rienzi was among the first to enter Richmond upon its surrender in 1865. He was finally discharged at Boston, Massachusetts on December 2, 1865 when the regiment was mustered out of service. It was in the winter of 1866-67 following the War that he came to Albion while studying law, and first taught school here. He soon became part of the law practice of Livermoore & Wood in Jackson, and became a member of the bar in 1868. Rienzi subsequently served as a Justice of the Peace, a Circuit Court Commissioner, and a City Attorney. He practice law in Albion for many years. In 1869 he married Sarah Tuttle (1845-1931), daughter of prominent Albion physician Dr. Samuel and Sarah (White) Tuttle. The couple had several children. One of them, Edward R. Loud (1871-1926) walked in his father’s footsteps and became a prominent Albion attorney, City Attorney, Mayor of Albion (1899), and was associated with Homestead Loan and Building Association for many years. Rienzi Loud was active in the local Post No. 210 of the Grand Army of the Republic, the Civil War veterans organization. He was a charter member and served as one of the commanders of our local post for a time. He passed away on December 18, 1896 at the young age of 59. Burial was in Riverside Cemetery. From our Historical Notebook this week we present an 1891 lithograph of Rienzi Loud. Wouldn’t it be nice if there could be memorial bricks for all our Albion Civil War soldiers on our Veteran’s Memorial Stage at Riverside Cemetery? Their names are listed on the plaque in the G.A.R. monument section of the cemetery.  Rienzi Loud (1837-1896) All text copyright, 2024 © all rights reserved Frank Passic
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