Harber, called a "Naval Hero" by The New York Times, was best known as for leading the rescue expedition for the USS Jeannette off of Siberia and the return of the body of her captain.

[1] Born and raised in Youngstown, Ohio, Harber personally asked U.S.

Congressman James A. Garfield for an appointment to the United States Naval Academy.

[6] From 1870 to 1871, Harber served aboard the screw frigate USS Franklin in the European Squadron.

[5] In February 1882, he began travelling with Lt. William H. Schuetze from London to Paris to St. Petersburg and then on to Irkutsk, where he chartered a steamer in April 1882 to search for the missing crew of the USS Jeannette.

[1][6] Harber subsequently served with the Asiatic Squadron near China, commanding the protected cruiser USS New Orleans from October 1903 to February 1905.

[6] Harber married Jeannette Thruston Manning (February 10, 1852 – September 14, 1925) on April 25, 1889.