John J. Hobson was born on April 12, 1926 to Robert and Mary Hobson who then lived in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. The family later moved to Devon, Pennsylvania. John was one of eight children
John was a member of the Berwyn Boys Club, and attended Tredyffrin-Easttown high school, but left before graduation to help support his family. He worked for the Benjamin C. Betner Company in Devon. The company made paper bags for 65 years until it closed in the early 1990’s.