Francis Hobson & Son was a merchant, steel, and file manufacturer, Don Steel Works, Savile Street.  The founder was Francis Hobson (1801-1874), the brother of J. C. Hobson, who apparently started the business in 1828.  His son was also named Francis Hobson, who took over the firm after his father’s death on 28 August 1874, aged 72 (leaving under £60,000).   In the Census (1881), Francis Hobson Jun. described himself as a steel manufacturer, employing 50 men and nine boys.  By 1893, Hobson, Seaman & Co had been formed, with Frederick William Seaman (1845-1921) and then later William Dickson Houghton (1826-1908) as partners.  In 1895, the firm took over Geo.  Fisher & Co, steel and file manufacturers.  The firm marketed cutlery, including pocket knives (which were presumably factored).  The firm became Hobson, Houghton & Co Ltd in 1903.  Before the First World War, the partners retired or died, though Hobson, Houghton continued as a steel and tool manufacturer after 1918.  Francis Hobson, late of The Prospect, Trowbridge, Wiltshire, but formerly of Elmsdale, Ranmoor, died on 1 January 1913, aged 72.  He left £81,607 and was buried in Ecclesall.  The firm used several cutlery trade marks (Woodhead, 1991), besides stamping Hobson, Seaman & Co on its knives.