Morris Earle (5), a grandson of the above named Edward Earle, Jr., married in New York (1), February 8, 1755, Johanna Mountayne and (2), May 23, 1761, Abagail Leach. Morris had several children of the sixth generation, one of whom was Thomas Earle, born in New York in 1767, married Matilda Harrison. Thomas (6) lived and died in New York City, leaving, among other children of the sixth generation. Thomas Earle (7), born in New York, February 10, 1809. He married Euphemia Demarest and had issue six children of the eighth generation, one of whom was Ralph Earle, who married Margaret Acken, and had, among other children of the ninth generation, Ralph D. Earle, Jr., the subject of this sketch.

Ralph D. Earle, Jr., was born in Jersey City, March 21, 1865, and there obtained a thorough public and high school education. At an early age he exhibited unusual tastes for mathematics, which he developed with perseverance and success. Leaving school, he entered the office of his uncle, Frank H. Earle, of Jersey City, with whom he remained several years, studying civil engineering and surveying and mastering every branch of the profession. He soon became an expert, so skillful and rapid was he in the manipulation of figures. In the autumn of 1883 he accepted a position with Charles B. Brush, of Hoboken, one of the largest civil engineers in the country, and remained with him for about three years, gaining a valuable experience in general engineering and surveying. Resigning this, he associated himself with the different elevated railways in Brooklyn, where he made preliminary surveys for several lines. In 1887 he returned to his former position with Mr. Brush, with whom he continued until 1895, having charge of Mr. Brush's construction work in North Hudson County, which included the $250,000 contract for the outlet sewer to Union Hill, the construction of the North Hudson County Railway to the Guttenberg racetrack, the improvement of the Meeks and Cossitt estates, the preliminary surveys for the Hudson River Bridge, and practically every large and important improvement in the northern part of the County of Hudson.

In 1895 Mr. Earle engaged in business for himself as a general civil engi- neer and surveyor, opening an office at 154 Bergenline Avenue, corner of Lewis Street. Since then he has had charge of almost all of the important work executed or projected in North Hudson County, continuing on the same lines that he had previously followed. Among these enterprises may be mentioned the construction of the main latteral sewer on Union Hill, the lay ing of the first brick pavement in Hudson County, and the construction of the Weehawken loop, a driveway five miles in length, on the edge of the Palisades, overlooking the Hudson River, and which has been extended into Hoboken. This loop involves the construction of a viaduct over the railroad tracks and a large amount of other work. In all of these capacities Mr. Earle has achieved success. Since 1895 he has also been county surveyor of Hudson County. In politics he is an ardent Democrat. He is a member of the Democratic Central Organization and of the Executive Committee of the Hudson County Democratic Committee. He was a member of the Board of Education of the Town of Union from 1895 to 1898, and in the latter year served as President of the board. He is a prominent member of the Knights of Pythias, the Elks, and the Royal Arcanum.