Education
Born in Greenville, he attended private schools in Sumter. He graduated from Furman University (Greenville) in 1867, taught school for two years, studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1870 and commenced practice in Anderson.
judge lawyer politician senator
Born in Greenville, he attended private schools in Sumter. He graduated from Furman University (Greenville) in 1867, taught school for two years, studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1870 and commenced practice in Anderson.
He was a first year cadet at the South Carolina Military Academy (now The Citadel) at the outbreak of the Civil War enlisted in the Confederate Army. He returned to Sumter in 1875 and continued the practice of law. He was also interested in the logging business and in agricultural pursuits.
He was South Carolina attorney general from 1886 to 1890, declined the nomination for Governor, and ran unsuccessfully for that office in 1890.
He returned to Greenville in 1892, was elected a circuit judge in 1894, and was elected as a Democrat to the United States. Senate, serving from March 4, 1897 until his death in Greenville on May 20, 1897. Interment was in Christ Churchyard in Greenville.
His birthplace, the Earle Town House, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1969.
Earle was a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from 1878 to 1882, and was a member of the South Carolina Senate from 1882 to 1886.