Born in Vevay, Indiana, to Joseph Cary Eggleston and Mary Jane Craig. He became a Methodist minister. He wrote a number of tales, some of which, especially the "Hoosier" series, attracted much attention. Among these are The Hoosier Schoolmaster, The Hoosier Schoolboy, The End of the World, The Faith Doctor, Queer Stories for Boys and Girls, and others.

His summer home, Owl's Nest, in Lake George, New York, eventually became his year-round home. Eggleston died there in 1902, at the age of 64. Owl's Nest was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1971.

Novels

• The Hoosier Schoolmaster 1871
• The End of the World 1872
• The Mystery of Metropolisville 1873
• The Circuit Rider 1874
• Roxy 1878
• The Graysons 1888
• The Faith Doctor 1891
• Duffels (short stories) 1893

Juvenile

• Mr. Blake's Walking Stick 1870
• Tecumseh and the Shawnee Prophet 1878
• Pocahontus and Powhatan 1879
• Montezuma 1880
• The Hoosier Schoolboy 1883
• Queer Stories for Boys and Girls 1884
• Home History of the United States 1889

History

• A History of the United States and Its People 1888
• The Beginning of a Nation 1896
• The Transit of Civilization From England to America 1901
• New Centennial History of the United States 1904