Born in Brooke County (now Hancock County), Virginia (now West Virginia), Hale attended the common schools.

He was admitted to the bar in 1849 and commenced practice in Brunswick, Missouri.

He served as presidential elector on the Democratic ticket of Douglas and Johnson in 1860.

He served as colonel of the Sixty-fifth Regiment, Missouri Militia, and of the Fourth Provisional Regiment, Missouri Militia, in the United States service during the Civil War.

He was an unsuccessful candidate for renomination on the Democratic ticket and defeated for reelection as an Independent.