lumberman, businessman, b. Buffalo, N.Y. Although a Chicago resident, Hines built a lumber empire that was important in Wisconsin history. At 14 he became an office boy with S. K. Martin and Co., lumber wholesalers, and when the firm reorganized in 1884, Hines was made secretary-treasurer. In 1892 he organized the Edward Hines Co. An astute businessman, Hines soon gained control of many of Chicago's leading lumber firms, and continued to expand his operations. Holdings subsequently included mills and timberlands in Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, the South, and the Far West. His Wisconsin properties were extensive; he purchased McCords and Co. in West Superior (1898), and owned large timber tracts at Ashland and in Douglas County, as well as the Bigelow Brothers mills at Washburn (1902), and the White River Lumber Co. For a number of years Hines also operated one of the largest lumber fleets on the Great Lakes. Amer. Lumbermen (3 ser., Chicago, 1905, 1906); Who's Who in Amer., 16 (1930); E. Hines Lumber Co., 50 Years . . . (Chicago, 1942); Chicago Tribune, Dec. 2, 1931.

The Wisconsin Historical Society has manuscripts related to this topic. See the catalog description of 50 Years: Edward Hines Lumber Company for details.

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[Source: Dictionary of Wisconsin biography]