John L. Hines was born on 21 May 1868 in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, USA. He was married to Harriet Scholfield "Rita" Wherry. He died on 13 October 1968 in Washington, District of Columbia, USA.
A 1891 graduate of the United States Military Academy, Major General Hines served his country for over forty years, fighting in the Spanish-American War and the Philippine Insurrection; he subsequently served in France during World War I and in 1921 succeeded General John J. "Black Jack" Pershing as Army Chief of Staff. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery outside Washington, D.C.