Horton, James

James Horton was born in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1934 where he attended high school. He served in the Air Force, and was a radio broadcaster for the Armed Forces Radio Service in Greenland and Labrador during the 1950s. After graduating from the Ohio School of Broadcasting, Horton hosted his own radio show in Cleveland, Ohio, during the 1960s. He was also a licensed barber, shoe salesman, and worked briefly as a private investigator.

In 1966 Horton went to work for Local 47 of the Building Service and Maintenance Union as a business agent and organizer. In these capacities he dealt mainly with nursing home employees, helping to organize a number of homes and serving as a negotiator at contract bargaining talks. He eventually became president of the union.

Horton was also a community activist in the Eddy Road area of Cleveland's East Side. He has served as president of the Eddy Road Street Club and as an officer of the Ohio Boys Town, receiving numerous awards and commendations for his work in civic affairs. Horton was interested in political issues, having written letters to a number of Mayors, Congressmen and Senators. Horton, his wife Lera and their children resided at 661 Eddy Road as of 1988.

From the guide to the James Horton Papers, Series II, 1955-1982, (Western Reserve Historical Society)

James Horton was born in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1934 where he attended high school. He served in the Air Force, and was a radio broadcaster for the Armed Forces Radio Service in Greenland and Labrador during the 1950s. After graduating from the Ohio School of Broadcasting, Horton hosted his own radio show in Cleveland, Ohio, during the 1960s. He was also a licensed barber, shoe salesman, and worked briefly as a private investigator.

In 1966 Horton went to work for Local 47 of the Building Service and Maintenance Union as a business agent and organizer. In these capacities he dealt mainly with nursing home employees, helping to organize a number of homes and serving as a negotiator at contract bargaining talks. He eventually became president of the union.

Horton was also a community activist in the Eddy Road area of Cleveland's East Side. He has served as president of the Eddy Road Street Club and as an officer of the Ohio Boys Town, receiving numerous awards and commendations for his work in civic affairs. Horton was interested in political issues, having written letters to a number of Mayors, Congressmen and Senators. Horton, his wife Lera and their children resided at 661 Eddy Road as of 1988.

From the guide to the James Horton Papers, 1955-1974, (Western Reserve Historical Society)