He served as canal commissioner of Pennsylvania from 1839 to 1842.

He was a canal commissioner from 1842 to 1844, and from 1845 to 1847.

In November 1844, he was one of the first canal commissioners elected by general ballot.

In 1840, he was elected a canal commissioner, and remained in office until 1842.

The village is named after Jonas Earl, a canal commissioner.

He was an engineer on the Erie extension in 1827 and canal commissioner in 1829.

He was a Canal Commissioner from 1862 to 1867, elected in 1861 and 1864 on the Union ticket.

From 1868 to 1873 he was a Canal Commissioner, elected in 1867 and 1870 on the Democratic ticket.

He was a Canal Commissioner from 1866 to 1868, elected in 1865 on the Republican ticket.

He was a Canal Commissioner from 1859 to 1861, elected on the Republican ticket.