Hong was born February 7, 1866 in Coon Prairie, Wisconsin.  He attended Willmar Seminary from 1881 to 1892 and Luther College from 1892 to 1895 when he received his bachelor’s degree.  In 1897, after a year as President of Willmar Seminary in Minnesota, Hong became a professor at Pacific Lutheran Academy in Washington, holding the office of President there from 1899 to 1918.  He married Mary Wiborg in 1898.

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Hong ble født i Coon Prairie, Wisconsin, 7. februar 1866. Han studerte ved Willmar Seminary fra 1881 til 1892 og ved Luther College fra 1892 til 1895, da han tok bachelorgraden. I 1897, etter et år som president for Willmar Seminary i Minnesota, ble Hong professor ved Pacific Lutheran Academy i Washington, og forble professor der til 1918. Han giftet seg med Mary Wiborg i 1898.