b. 1878 – Moscow, Texas
Governor: 1917–1921
Hobby’s family moved to Houston in 1893 where he attended Houston High School. He was employed by the Houston Post as circulation clerk and business writer and later became manager and owner of the Beaumont Enterprise. He was elected lieutenant governor in 1914 and 1916.
Hobby became the youngest Texas governor when he was elected in 1917 at age 39 after Governor Ferguson resigned. He established a military draft system for Texas, which was home to half of the country’s military camps and most of its airfields. In 1918 Hobby defeated former Governor Ferguson by the largest majority ever received in a Democratic primary. He appointed the first Highway Commission, passed oil conservation laws, and created an oil and gas division of the Texas Railroad Commission. Hobby returned to the newspaper business after his term ended.