Rather than concentrate solely on the law, Hulburd focused primarily on agriculture and business. In partnership with his brother he owned and operated a large farm, gristmill and dry goods store. He also served as the
Postmaster in Brasher Falls. An Antislavery
Barnburner and then
Free Soil Democrat, Hulburd was a member of the
New York State Assembly in
1842,
1843, and
1844. He became a
Republican when the party was organized in the mid-1850s. From 1860 to 1861 he served as Brasher's
Town Supervisor, which also made him a member of the St. Lawrence County Board of Supervisors. He served again in the State Assembly in
1862. ==Later career==