Biographies
"Q"
THOMAS L. QUARLES
Has the distinction of having been elected sheriff of Kootenai county
on the democratic ticket by a majority of seven hundred, although the
county is normally strongly republican. He has filled various public
offices and the faithfulness and capability with which he has ever
discharged his duties is attested by all who know aught of his career.
He was born at Bentonville, Arkansas, June 27, 1869, a son of Jesse P.
Quarles, also a native of Bentonville, and of Margaret (Coonfield)
Quarles, who was born in Indiana, her parents, however, removing to the
southwest at an early day. Jesse P. Quarles, a farmer by occupation,
came to the northwest in 1873, traveling across the country in a
prairie schooner. On reaching Idaho he took up land near Farmington and
resided thereon until 1892, when he removed to Kootenai county, where
he continued for some time but is now living at Olympia, Washington.
He has always been a very active man in connection with public affairs,
reaching a position of leadership and doing much to mold public thought
and action in the districts in which he has resided. In 1880 he removed
to Nez Perce county, Idaho, and was elected to represent his district
in the state legislature at an early day. He was a friend and associate
of John Hailey and other prominent pioneers. While living in Kootenai
county he served as county commissioner and assessor and he has also
been county commissioner of Whitman county, Washington. He gave his
political allegiance to the republican party until 1896; since which
time he has maintained an independent course in politics. He belongs to
the Masonic fraternity and his religious faith is that of the Christian
church—associations which indicate much of the rules that govern his
conduct and shape his relations with his fellowmen.
At one time he had a farm on the Coeur d'Alene river, where he engaged
in raising Durham cattle, keeping thoroughbred stock. His land
interests were extensive and he was very progressive as an
agriculturist and thereby won substantial success. The experiences of
his life have indeed been broad and varied. While too young to enlist
for service in the Civil war, he acted as a guide to General Phelps and
in that way participated in several battles. Then came his removal to
the northwest with all of the experiences of frontier life and his
activity in founding and developing the new state of Idaho, crowned at
last with a well earned rest and a pleasant home at Olympia.
Thomas L. Quarles was educated in the public schools of Farmington and
spent his boyhood days to the age of twenty years upon the home farm,
passing through all the experiences incident to the development of a
new farm property upon the western frontier. After leaving home he was
employed in a store and in a bakery at Farmington and in 1893 he turned
his attention to ranching on the Coeur d'Alene in Kootenai county. In
1894 he removed to Rathdrum. While living at Rathdrum he became an
active factor in public affairs there, serving on the school board, as
a member of the city council and otherwise manifesting his
public-spirited devotion to the general good. The recognition of his
ability upon the part of his fellowmen has again and again led to his
appointment or election to office. For four years he was deputy county
assessor and for a similar period filled the position of deputy county
auditor. He was then auditor of Kootenai county from 1903 until 1910,
resigning his position in the latter year. He afterward conducted a
resort at Twin Lakes hut in 1915 was again called to office, being
elected sheriff of Kootenai county on the democratic ticket by a
majority of seven hundred, although the county usually gives a strong
republican majority. Mr. Quarles has for many years been an active
factor in democratic circles and in 1904 served as chairman of the
central committee.
In 1893 was celebrated the marriage of Thomas L. Quarles and Miss May
Lewis, of Farmington, Idaho, daughter of Charles and Mary Lewis, who
came from Minnesota, where they were pioneers. Mr. and Mrs. Quarles
have five children: Clarice, who is now a teacher in the schools of
Coeur d'Alene; Pauline; T. L., who was a member of Battery C of the One
Hundred and Forty-sixth Field Artillery and served for nineteen months
in the World war, taking part in the engagements at Chateau Thierry,
St. Mihiel and in the Argonne and afterward going to Germany with the
army of occupation; Mabel and Katherine, who are at home. Mr. Quarles
was a most active supporter of the Red Cross and all of the drives to
finance the war and promote the comfort of soldiers in camp and field.
He belongs to Rathdrum Lodge, No. 43, A. F. it, A. M., the Royal Arch
chapter at Coeur d'Alene and also Coeur d'Alene Commandery, K. T. He is
likewise connected with the Elks Lodge No. 1254 at Coeur d'Alene and
with the Knights of Pythias lodge at Rathdrum and in the latter
organization has been past chancellor and a delegate to the grand
lodge. By reason of his many and varied activities he is widely known
and the sterling worth of his character is attested by all. The greater
part of his life has been passed in the northwest and he has at all
times been a supporter of those interests which have been instituted
for the benefit and upbuilding of the state.
[Source: History of
Idaho: the gem of the mountains, Volume 4; Edited by James Henry
Hawley; Publ. 1920; Transcribed and submitted to Genealogy Trails by
Andrea Stawski Pack.]
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