A native of Virginia, Hobson was educated at William and Mary College and later took a law degree from the University of Virginia. In 1890 he relocated to Buena Vista, Colorado, and took up the practice of law. From 1895-1890 Hobson served as U.S. Attorney for Colorado, after which he became a partner in the firm of Pattison, Edsall and Hobson, a prominent legal firm with offices in both Denver and Colorado Springs, Colorado.