Dr. P. H. Earls, a well known physician of Perilla, was born in White County May 1, 1851. His parents, Martin and Titia (Robertson) Earls, were of English descent and natives of North Carolina. The father immigrated to White County, where he died in 1852. The mother’s death occurred in 1851. Our subject became an orphan at an early age. He worked on a farm until he was eighteen. Having had but limited educational advantages, he secured the place of janitor in the Manchester College which he held four years, thus paying for his board and tuition. In 1872 and 1873 he attended Bird College, where he completed his schooling. He immediately began the study of medicine, and attended the Nashville Medical College, after which he entered upon his practice in the neighborhood of Perilla, where he has met with considerable success and received an extensive patronage. In 1883 he was interested in the mercantile business at this place. He is a self-made and highly respected man, who by his own efforts has accumulated a comfortable amount of this world’s goods. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South and a Democrat. December 24, 1873, he wedded Miss Nancy N., daughter of William and Mattie Cole. Their union has resulted in the birth of three children: May L., Carrie E. and Ella E.

Source:   Goodspeed Pub. Co. History of Tennessee from the Earliest Time to the Present; Together with an Historical and a Biographical Sketch of the Counties of White, Warren, Coffee, DeKalb, and Cannon, Besides a Valuable Fund of Notes, Original Observations, Reminiscences, Etc., Etc. Nashville: Goodspeed Pub. Co, 1887.