About: William Soesbe Harbert

William Soesbe Harbert (September 17, 1842 – March 24, 1919) was an American lawyer, judge, social activist, philanthropist, and Civil War soldier. He enlisted in the 85th Indiana Regiment at the beginning of the American Civil War where he established himself as an officer. His official enlistment date was on August 14, 1862, at the rank of Sergeant and he left in July 1865 at the rank of Lieutenant. Harbert originally attended law school in Bloomington, Indiana but later received his law degree from the University of Michigan. He practiced law in Des Moines, Iowa from 1867–1872 until he moved to Chicago to head the law office of Harbert & Daley.