Tarhe was born in the Detroit area. His mother was a member of the Porcupine Clan - Huron Nation. Little is know about his early life, though he is known to have fought bravely in 1755, when a native coalition defeated the British near present-day Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Although only 15 years old at the time, six-feet-four-inches-tall (1.91-metre) Tarhe is said to have been one of the tallest participants.

After Pontiac united the tribes against the British in 1763, Tarhe was one of the first to join him. He led a group of Huron warriors in the siege of Fort Detroit. He also helped defeat the British at the Battle of Bloody Bridge.

Tarhe became a principal sachem (chief) of the Huron in 1788. This was unusual because as a member of the Porcupine Clan, Tarhe was normally not eligible to be so honoured. Usually only members of the Deer, Bear or Turtle clans could be sachems. However, his popularity and prestige were so great he was selected by overall consensus.

After the American Revolution, Tarhe led the Huron in a native coalition that defeated two successive U.S. armies, the first under General Harmar in 1790, the second under General St. Clair in 1791. Tarhe lost the use of his arm in the Battle of Fallen Timbers, against an army led by "Mad" Anthony Wayne. The U.S. won that battle.

Chosen to represent the Ohio tribes in subsequent negotiations, Tarhe agreed to the Treaty of Greenville, in which he ceded two-thirds of Ohio land to the U.S. government.