 Quincy was born in Quincy, Massachusetts on October 15, 1859 and pursued a career as a lawyer.A Democrat, he was a member of Massachusetts House of Representatives from 1887 to 1888 and from 1890 to 1891.Quincy was an unsuccessful candidate for U.S. Representative from the 2nd District of Massachusetts in 1888 and served as the Massachusetts Democratic state chairman from 1891 to 1894 and in 1905 to 1906.