Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1896-09-16
THE NEW JUNIOR SENATOR.
Interesting Sketch of the Life
of Joseph H. Earle.
Career of the Man Who Has
just Beaten Evans and Will
be the Successor to Irby--
A Man of Destiny.

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Below is given sketch of the
life and career of South Carolina'a
Junior United States senator-elect,
whose election has been such a
complete surprise to great many
people of the state:
General Joseph Earle was born
in Greenville, S. c., April 30. 1847,
and received his education at Sum-
ter, S. G. He afterward attended
the Furman University at Green
Vile, graduating from the latter
institution in 1867. General Earle
entered the Confederate army in
July, 1864, starting as a private i'll
Charles battery Of light artillery,
at the close of the war a part of
Kemper's artillery. On his return
from the war, as above stated, he
entered Furman university. Leav-
ing this institution, he was APP
pointed principal of the Chicks
Springs high school al Greenville,
holding that position two years,
studying law in the meantime. III
April, 1870, he was admitted to tbe
bar before Judge James L. Orr,
afierward minister to Russia.
Following his admission to the
bar he opened a law Office at An
derson, S. c., where he practiced
until 1875, when he removed tG
Sumter, at which place he resided
and practiced his profession with
r. O. Purdy as law partner for
several wears.
In 1878 General Earle was elec-
ted member CT the State !egiala-
ture from Sumter county and serv-
ed two terms, declining nomina-
ton for reelection in 1880. In
1882 he was elected to the State
senate fer four years, and in 1886
Was elected attorney general Of the
State, being reelected i'll 1888.
He was selected in 1880 as a
delegate fron, South Carolina to
the national convention which met
in Cincinnati and nominated Cen
eral Hancock for President. In
1884 he was selected as q delegate
to The Chicago national conventions,
VIII ch nominated Grover Gu ve-
land, and was one of the C 'mmiG-
tee selected, one from each State,
to notify Mr., Cleveland of his
nomination. He has also been
chosen delegate to the State
conventions on a number OF occa-
siors.
General Earle was married May
10, 1869, to Miss Anna NJ. Earle
daughter of Baylis J. Earle of An
derson. To them have been born
nine children, one dying in infan,
cy. The Christian names of those
surviving arc: "Baylis H., John
! H., Eleanor M, Lucia P. Anna G
1 Joseph H., Lillian aud Wltea
In 1888 General Earle refused
the nomination on the Democratic
ticket for governor. not desiring tc
oppose the reelection of Governor
Richardson, declaring that if nom.
mated, he would not stand as 8
candidate; but in spite of his de.
claration more than 100 votes were
cast for him in the convention.
In 1880 he m n d e a can.
vass Of the State for the nomina.
tion of governor, but was superse,
del by B. r, Tillman, who was
nominated by the Reform move.
ment, after whose nomination Gen.
eral Earle refused to oppose him
though strongly urged to do so.
General Earle's father was Elias
D. Earle, who was born in Green.
vile, S. c., and there practiced law
for many years, at one time hold.
iug the office of superintendent Of
public works of the State. He was
married in1S36to Susan c. Hayns.
worth of Sumter, S. G., and they
had eight children, of whom the
subject of this sketch is the yo6ng-
est. The father died in 1912 and
the mother in 1919. Some years
ago he removed to Greenville and
his home is now in that city.
After General Earle made the
fight against Tillman in 1890, he
returned to his home in Sumter
county and resumed the practice
of his profession.
At the session of the general as
sembly two years ago he was cleo
ted circuit judge over MIR. G.. E.
Breazeale, one of the strongest Re-
formers in the State, by legisia-
ture that was more thoroughly
Reform than any before or likely
to be again.
General Earle was elected upon
his merits and in consequence of
the efforts he had made to bring
the white people Of the State to-
gether again. This he now con-
siders his proudest and greatest
achievement. He mas had a re-
markable career. But few men,
occupying the pos ition he did in
1890, could stand where he does
today without blemish upon his
character, with his Integrity and
honesty Of purpose unchallenged
by any one. AS ci1cnit judge he
has been a success. He has given
universal satisfaction.