circuit analysis - Does the resistor have to be before or after the component

I am an electronics beginner and I created a small little circuit, just a battery a resistor and a led, then to ground. This is the circuit:

^{simulate this circuit – Schematic created using CircuitLab}

Now I have a few questions about it. I know voltage is the different of electrical charge between two points, so I measured that difference:

Point A to B: 3.27V Point B to C: 1.82V

1. First question: Does that mean that the actual voltage of: Point A: 5V Point B: 1.73V Point C: 0V?

So I am not sure if my calculations of voltage are correct. I also have this other questions:

2. 
   

   Does the resistor have to be before the component I am trying to protect, like an LED. I have seen people place it after, but wouldn't that give a full 5V to the led or component?

   
   



3. 
   

   Ground has a neutral charge right? so why do electrons want to travel so badly to a point that has no electric charge?

   
   

Thank you