A graduate of Harvard University, the younger Earle himself became a prominent lawyer.

Earle was very politically ambitious, and ran for many positions, though he never won elected office.

His son was Pennsylvania Governor George Howard Earle III.

He was a wealthy businessman, industrialist, and investor who was Vice President of Bethlehem Steel from 1897 to 1912.

He later served in the Pennsylvania State Senate, representing the 4th District from 1917 to 1921, and was a Republican National Committeeman.