[4] After high school he went on to obtain a teaching certificate and taught for three years before enrolling at Centenary College.

[2] After obtaining the bar he moved to Palatka, Florida, and became the city attorney, a position he served for eleven years.

[2] He shared a partnership in a law firm with congressman Robert Wyche Davis until they dissolved the company for business reason in 1904.

[8] He had not been serving long before he was being urged to run for congress and challenge the sitting congressman Frank Clark,[9] and the rumours persisted for months with Hilburn refusing to commit.

[10] In October he finally declared that he would not run due to his law firm partner falling seriously sick and Hilburn having to "do the work of two men".

[2] In June 2015 he presided over the procedural open and adjourn session to comply with the law of fixed terms but the docket was clear of cases.

[20] He was appointed to be a member of the Florida racing commission by Governor Fred P. Cone and re-appointed by his successor Spessard Holland.