born on december 16, 1843, in kenosha (then southport), wisconsin territory (state of wisconsin from may 29, 1848), quarles attended the common schools, then received an artium baccalaureus degree in 1866 from the university of michigan and a bachelor of laws in 1867 from the university of michigan law school. during the american civil war, quarles served in the union army in the thirty-ninth regiment, wisconsin volunteers, and was mustered out as first lieutenant. he was admitted to the bar and entered private practice in kenosha from 1868 to 1882. he was the district attorney for kenosha county, wisconsin from 1870 to 1876. he was the mayor of kenosha in 1876. he was a member of the wisconsin state assembly in 1879. he was a member of the wisconsin state senate from 1880 to 1882. he resumed private practice in racine, wisconsin from 1882 to 1888, and in milwaukee, wisconsin from 1888 to 1899.