By
Roslyn Matthews
JAMES
LEE HINES
”Each man’s talent is his
call. There is one direction in which
all
doors are open to him.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
James
Lee Hines was born on May 27, 1928 in Florence, South Carolina, the second child of Albert Brownie and Hattie Ellison Hines.
James had six siblings, four brothers and two sisters. He attended
Holmes Elementary School and then started Wilson High School, but took a
leave in 1944 to join the United States Army. During World War II, he was stationed in Okinawa, Japan, where he worked in the
engineering department. While there, he continued his high school
education. After leaving the military, James returned to South
Carolina, and due to the advanced skills he learned, he was able to attend
the South Carolina Area Trade School in Denver, South Carolina, where he
completed his electrical training. The principal of Wilson High School
allowed James to use his trade school credits to graduate in 1952.
After
completing trade school, James worked at Twin City Electric Company in
Winston Salem, North Carolina. He left the Carolinas to seek
employment in Chicago, Illinois where he was hired as a foreman for Thompson
Electric Company (local 134 electrical union). While in Florence,
South Carolina, he was a member of Mount Zion A.M.E. Church, and after
moving to Chicago transferred his membership to Grant Memorial A.M.E.
Church, where he has been a faithful member since 1958.
The
electrical genius of James Hines is prominent throughout the city of Chicago
including, the first McCormick Place and the Dan Ryan Expressway (from 95th
St. to Logan Square). In addition, James’ electrical expertise can be
found in Chicago State University’s A and B buildings, its library and the
underground wiring for the physical plant, which provides electricity for
all the buildings that exist today. Through the friendship of Mr. and
Mrs. Walter Crawford, James met his future bride, Frances Bernice Aldridge.
They married in 1960 and were blessed with three sons, James, Gregory and
Otto. James formed his own company and named it O.G. & J. Electric
Company, after his sons. O.G. & J. Electric Company received
contracts for several large jobs that included wiring Drexel Bank, formerly
South Side Bank.
After
retiring, James continued to work, accepting jobs in Saint Thomas, Virgin
Islands
during the aftermath of hurricanes Hugo and Marilyn. James is devoted
to his church and volunteers a huge amount of his time to Grant Memorial
where his electrical expertise and vast building and contracting knowledge
are a Godsend. Almost each day of the week, he can be seen walking through
the church property examining, evaluating and repairing. James wants his
church to be aesthetically and structurally at its best. He can spot
peeling or chipping paint from a mile away. James is not only known for his
electrical acumen, but he is well respected for his generous and cooperative
spirit. Although James still insists that he is retired, he continues to
find time to work on other electrical projects.
James has membership in many organizations at
Grant Memorial, which include the Adult Study Group, Grants Men’s Choir,
Grant Men’s Club, Senior Usher Board, Trustee Board, and Operation Pull.
James and Frances are the proud grandparents of four very talented and
active grandchildren, Britney, James, Otto, and Myles. Each of these
children’s parents, Greg, Arlene, Otto and Deidre, are all very active in
Grant also.
