Hultgren was born at the Hammond Henry Hospital in Geneseo, Illinois, to parents Rodger and Marietta.

This intrigue was due in large part to his neighbor, who was highly knowledgeable about nature, specifically birding and gardening.

He was president of the College Republicans at Augustana and was also involved with the Student Judiciary Committee and the school newspaper.

During the fall of 1971 Hultgren represented the college as a member of American University's Washington Semester Honors Program in the nation's capitol.

Hultgren proceeded to work as a budget analyst for a credit card processing company in Raleigh, North Carolina for two years.

[2] David Hultgren took and passed the Bar examination in 1978, and proceeded to acquire a job at the law firm of Stansell, Critser, and Whitman in Monmouth, Illinois.

At this time he also served as a law clerk for justice Albert Scott of the Illinois Appellate Court.

He was also a member of numerous other committees, including: Hultgren chose to end his career in the legislature after three terms.

As a judge in the 9th judicial circuit, he held court in the following county seats: Although he presided in all of these cities, he served mainly in Monmouth (1992–1999) and Lewistown (1999–2006).