William Hobson (1820-1891)

Book excerpt: William Hobson, a staunch nineteenth-century Quaker minister and determined follower of Jesus Christ, was shaped by revival, Quaker history, and his Friends upbringing. As a young adult he left his home state of North Carolina for the Iowa frontier where he honed his God-given leadership skills while shepherding the pioneer congregation at Honey Creek. After two decades in Iowa, Hobson received a mid-life call from God to establish a new missions-focused Quaker community somewhere on the West Coast. Following an extensive search for the perfect location, Hobson eventually chose Newberg, Oregon, and Quaker influence in the region quickly spread, culminating in the organization of the Evangelical Friends Church (Quakers) in the Pacific Northwest. Hobson’s lifelong determination to follow God continues to serve as a godly example inspiring us to likewise dedicate our lives to God’s kingdom purposes.