Settle was prominent in Florida weekly newspaper circles from the 1930s through the 1960s and was a leader of the Florida Press Association during all those years.
He served as president of the FPA in 1954-55. As a board member in 1965, Settle made the motion that moved forward the merger of the Florida Daily Press Association with the Florida Press Association.
Settle was typical of many country editors of the time, relying on a job shop for most of his income, doing all of his own writing and editing, and still finding time to be involved in civic endeavors.
Most of his journalism career was spent in Glades County and in the town of Moore Haven, as editor of the Glades County Democrat (1933-1958), the Clewiston News, and the Hendry County News in Labelle.
In 1958, Settle purchased the Monticello News in Jefferson County and was publisher/editor of that weekly until he retired in 1971.
His weekly, “Meanderings” column captured moments of life from the beginning of World War II through the tumultuous 60s.