She served as the second lady of the United States from 1897 until her husband's death in 1899, and was a philanthropist and community activist in New Jersey.

Hobart often served as White House hostess because the first lady, Ida Saxton McKinley, suffered from epilepsy and other chronic ailments.

Born and raised in Paterson, New Jersey, Hobart was the daughter of the prominent attorney Socrates Tuttle and his wife, Jane Winters.

Her mother died soon after birth, leaving Hobart to be raised by her step-mother, Elizabeth Willer Tuttle.

In 1896, Garret Hobart was elected Vice President of the United States and the family moved to Washington, D.C. As the second lady of the United States, Hobart often served as White House hostess because the first lady, Ida Saxton McKinley, suffered from epilepsy and other chronic ailments.