Hallie Earle
Encyclopedia
Hallie Earle was the first licensed female physician in Waco, Texas
. In 1907, she was the only female graduate of the Baylor University Medical School in Dallas. Her private medical practice served the community of Waco for over three decades. Upon her father's death, Earle was appointed to assume his civic duty as a weather observer. In 1960, the United States Weather Bureau recognized Earle for her four decades as the Central Texas weather observer.
on a farm near Hewitt
on September 27, 1880. She was the youngest of eight children born to Civil War veteran Major Isham Harrison Earle of the Tenth Texas Infantry, and his wife Adaline Graves Earle. Hallie came from a long line of physicians that included both grandfathers and several great uncles. Her grandfather B.W. Earle was an early physician in Waco and built the Recorded Texas Historic Landmark
designated Earle-Harrison House.
, Earle was a voracious student who earned accolades both from her professors, and from the university president Oscar H. Cooper. The Baylor president praised her math skills as exceeding all other students, and predicted she would be a good teacher. She was honored by Baylor University
when her 1902 M.S. degree thesis was included in the cornerstone of the school's newly erected Carroll Science Building.
After graduation Earle taught school in Gainesville
in Cooke County
. Earle entered the Baylor University Medical School in Dallas and spent $30 a month for room, board, and living expenses during her enrollment there. While at medical school, her letters home indicated a student focused on success. She established a record of the highest grade point average posted to that date. Earle received her M.D. in 1907, the only graduating female in her class. She did her post graduate work in Chicago and New Orleans. Earle's internship was at historic Bellevue Hospital
in New York.
adjacent community of Marlin
in Falls County
had been known for its healing mineral waters since1892. During the next half century, health-related industries flourished in Marlin. Earle practiced at Marlin's Torbett Hospital for seven years, while continuing her post-graduate studies and advertising her availability in medical publications.
Earle opened her Waco office in 1915, and built a private practice around women. Earle was the first licensed female physician in Waco. She was joined by her cousin, lab technician Lucille Pearre. Earle also assisted with medical examinations of female coeds enrolled in Baylor's physical education program. Her paying patients in her private practice were interspersed with indigent patients. In 1948, Earle retired from medicine.
in Waco. In 1996, the Texas Historical Commission placed a marker on her grave acknowledging her achievements.
Waco, Texas
Waco is a city in and the county seat of McLennan County, Texas. Situated along the Brazos River and on the I-35 corridor, halfway between Dallas and Austin, it is the economic, cultural, and academic center of the 'Heart of Texas' region....
. In 1907, she was the only female graduate of the Baylor University Medical School in Dallas. Her private medical practice served the community of Waco for over three decades. Upon her father's death, Earle was appointed to assume his civic duty as a weather observer. In 1960, the United States Weather Bureau recognized Earle for her four decades as the Central Texas weather observer.
Early life
Harriet "Hallie" Earle was born in a log house in McLennan County, TexasMcLennan County, Texas
McLennan County is a county located on the Edwards Plateau in Central Texas. In 2000, its population was 213,517; in 2008 the U.S. Census Bureau estimated its population to be 230,213. Its seat is Waco. The county is named for Neil McLennan, an early settler....
on a farm near Hewitt
Hewitt, Texas
Hewitt is a city in McLennan County, Texas, United States. The population was 11,085 at the 2000 census, and was 12,987 after a 2005 estimate. It is part of the Waco Metropolitan Statistical Area...
on September 27, 1880. She was the youngest of eight children born to Civil War veteran Major Isham Harrison Earle of the Tenth Texas Infantry, and his wife Adaline Graves Earle. Hallie came from a long line of physicians that included both grandfathers and several great uncles. Her grandfather B.W. Earle was an early physician in Waco and built the Recorded Texas Historic Landmark
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark is a designation awarded by the Texas Historical Commission for historically and architecturally significant properties in the state of Texas....
designated Earle-Harrison House.
Education
When she enrolled at Baylor UniversityBaylor University
Baylor University is a private, Christian university located in Waco, Texas. Founded in 1845, Baylor is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.-History:...
, Earle was a voracious student who earned accolades both from her professors, and from the university president Oscar H. Cooper. The Baylor president praised her math skills as exceeding all other students, and predicted she would be a good teacher. She was honored by Baylor University
Baylor University
Baylor University is a private, Christian university located in Waco, Texas. Founded in 1845, Baylor is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.-History:...
when her 1902 M.S. degree thesis was included in the cornerstone of the school's newly erected Carroll Science Building.
After graduation Earle taught school in Gainesville
Gainesville, Texas
Gainesville is a city in and the county seat of Cooke County, Texas, United States. The population was 15,538 at the 2000 census.-History:...
in Cooke County
Cooke County, Texas
As of the census of 2000, there were 36,363 people, 13,643 households, and 10,000 families residing in the county. The population density was 42 people per square mile . There were 15,061 housing units at an average density of 17 per square mile...
. Earle entered the Baylor University Medical School in Dallas and spent $30 a month for room, board, and living expenses during her enrollment there. While at medical school, her letters home indicated a student focused on success. She established a record of the highest grade point average posted to that date. Earle received her M.D. in 1907, the only graduating female in her class. She did her post graduate work in Chicago and New Orleans. Earle's internship was at historic Bellevue Hospital
Bellevue Hospital Center
Bellevue Hospital Center, most often referred to as "Bellevue", was founded on March 31, 1736 and is the oldest public hospital in the United States. Located on First Avenue in the Kips Bay neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City, Bellevue is famous from many literary, film and television...
in New York.
Practice
The McLennan CountyMcLennan County, Texas
McLennan County is a county located on the Edwards Plateau in Central Texas. In 2000, its population was 213,517; in 2008 the U.S. Census Bureau estimated its population to be 230,213. Its seat is Waco. The county is named for Neil McLennan, an early settler....
adjacent community of Marlin
Marlin, Texas
Marlin is a city in Falls County, Texas, United States. The population was 6,628 at the 2000 census, but decreased to 5,967 by 2010. It is also the county seat of Falls County, and has been so since 1851...
in Falls County
Falls County, Texas
Falls County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. In 2000, its population was 18,576. In 2003, the population of the county was estimated to be 17,926. It is named for the waterfalls on the Brazos River, which can be found at the Falls On The Brazos Park, a campsite located only a few...
had been known for its healing mineral waters since1892. During the next half century, health-related industries flourished in Marlin. Earle practiced at Marlin's Torbett Hospital for seven years, while continuing her post-graduate studies and advertising her availability in medical publications.
Earle opened her Waco office in 1915, and built a private practice around women. Earle was the first licensed female physician in Waco. She was joined by her cousin, lab technician Lucille Pearre. Earle also assisted with medical examinations of female coeds enrolled in Baylor's physical education program. Her paying patients in her private practice were interspersed with indigent patients. In 1948, Earle retired from medicine.
Weather observer
She followed in her father's meteorological footsteps and was appointed the lone Central Texas weather observer in 1916. The United States Weather Bureau recognized her achievements with the John Campanius Holm Award in 1960.Personal life and death
Hallie Earle never married, preferring to live with her sister Mary and cousin Lucille. After opening her private practice in Waco, Earle lived the rest of her life at home on the family farm. She died November 1, 1963, and is buried at Oakwood CemeteryOakwood Cemetery (Waco, Texas)
Oakwood Cemetery is a cemetery in Waco, Texas, in which three governors of Texas are buried.-History:Founded in 1878, to relieve crowded conditions at Waco's main, First Street Cemetery, the cemetery was built on the site of an abandoned horse racing track....
in Waco. In 1996, the Texas Historical Commission placed a marker on her grave acknowledging her achievements.