Quarles was born near Louisa Court House in Louisa County, Virginia, son of Garrett Minor and Mary Johnson Poindexter Quarles. He attended the common schools, and in 1833 moved to Kentucky with his father, who settled in Christian County.
Quarles was born near Louisa Court House in Louisa County, Virginia, the son of Garrett Minor and Mary Johnson Poindexter Quarles. He attended nearby schools and, in 1833, moved to Kentucky with his father, who later settled in Christian County.