Thomas John Earle was born on December 23, 1824 in Spartanburg Co., S.C. He was baptized by Rev. J.G. Landrum in 1845 and ordained in 1852.  Earle attended Mercer University and then was pastor in Pendleton, S.C. for four years, and married Janie Kennedy of Georgia. In 1856, Earle became pastor of Gowensville Baptist Church and served until his death on August 6, 1889. He also served Holly Springs Baptist Church thirty-two years and was pastor of Milford Baptist Church eighteen years.

Earle opened the Gowensville Male and Female Seminary in 1858. The private school was also known as the Earle Seminary.