Harles was born in New York City to German immigrants. After his father died, the Big Brothers organization arranged for Harry and his brother to attend school at the Goodwill Home-Farm-School in Hinckley ME. He graduated from high school there in 1923. He went back to New York City and worked as a draftsman while attending Columbia University. At the urging of friends he went to Georgia Tech in Atlanta for architecture and graduated in 1933.

After graduation he worked for William Deitrick in Raleigh and also worked in Greensboro.  In  1938 he moved to Rocky Mount NC and spent the rest of his life there. During World War II he designed barracks and other buildings as a contractor for the Army. He was the senior partner in several firms he created over the years, leaving a legacy of hundreds of buildings and homes he designed in eastern North Carolina including much of Louisburg College.  He retired in 1979.

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