[3] Hubbard was born in Oswego County, New York, on December 14, 1837, to a family of farmers, formerly of Connecticut, with roots dating back to Colonial America.

[5] During the Civil War, he tried to enlist in the Union Army in January 1863 but was rendered unfit for military service due to a severe attack of pneumonia.

He then began farming tobacco in Sidney, New York for a few years, during which time he married Mary Esther Cook.

The two moved to Corry, Pennsylvania, in 1866 as he reentered the grocery business, this time with great success: starting with capital of $2000, he earned approximately $30,000 in four years.

[5] He then moved back to California in 1870 with plans of starting a bank, but due to an ongoing recession was unable to find favorable conditions.

With partner George Palmer, he established a system of 42 grain elevators stretching across southern Minnesota and into South Dakota.

The youngest daughter, Mary Ester Hubbard, sold the home to the Blue Earth County Historical Society in 1938.

[5] The Hubbard House's location on South Broad Street was once part of Mankato's "silk stocking district", which included a number of Victorian era mansions.

For several years the two owners engaged in a game of one-upmanship in upgrading their properties; the battle appeared to end when Cray added a top-floor ballroom.

[5][8] Once the society moved to his new headquarters, it opted to restructure the house museum to interpret the life of the Hubbard family; as such the home was restored to its 1905 state.

[10] The house contains approximately a quarter of the Hubbard family's original furniture, with remaining antique furnishings donated by patrons of the museum.