President Thomas Jefferson chose William Henry Harrison as the governor of the territory, and Vincennes was established as the capital.

The Native people who inhabited these areas prior to arrival of European settlers were generally resistant to the loss of their lands.

Starting in 1794, Native American titles to Indiana lands were extinguished by usurpation, purchase, or war and treaty.

The Indiana State Legislature passed a bill on December 31, 1821, that authorized the creation of four counties,[3] including Shelby.

[4] The new county was named for Gen. Isaac Shelby, who defeated the British at the Battle of Kings Mountain in the Revolutionary War.

During the War of 1812, he led the army of Kentucky into Canada, and defeated the British at the decisive Battle of the Thames in 1813.

The low, rolling hills of Shelby County are lightly carved by drainages, but are otherwise completely devoted to agriculture or urban development.

[5] The terrain slopes to the southwest, with its highest elevations (930 feet/280 meters ASL) along the eastern part of its northern border with Hancock County.

[8] As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 44,436 people, 17,302 households, and 12,221 families in the county.

The commissioners execute the acts legislated by the council, collect revenue, and manage the county government.

The judges of the Shelby Circuit and Superior Courts are elected to six (6) year terms and must be admitted to practice law in the State of Indiana.