Portal:Biography/Selected biography military/5

Isaac Shelby (December 11, 1750 – July 18, 1826) was a soldier, the first and fifth Governor of the U.S. state of Kentucky, and served in the state legislatures of Virginia and North Carolina. Shelby's military service began at the Battle of Point Pleasant, the only major battle of Lord Dunmore's War. Following the war, Shelby relocated to Kentucky on lands awarded to him for his military service and became involved in Kentucky's transition from a county of Virginia to an independent state. His heroism made him popular with the citizens of the state. The state electoral college unanimously elected him governor in 1792, where he served a four year term. Prior to the War of 1812, Kentuckians urged Shelby to run for governor again to lead them through the anticipated conflict. At the request of General William Henry Harrison, Shelby commanded troops from Kentucky at the Battle of the Thames, for which he was awarded a Congressional Gold Medal. At the conclusion of the war, he declined President James Monroe's offer to become Secretary of War.