In 1822 he held the rank of Brigadier General in the Ohio Militia.

During the war of 1812, Shepherd served as captain of a company in the Ohio Militia during 1812 and 1813.

He served as major general of the Fifteenth Division, Ohio Militia.

He was Adjutant General of the Ohio Militia during the War of 1812 serving in that post from 1810-1819.

While in the legislature, he accepted a commission with the Ohio Militia as a brigadier general and spent much of the winter of 1860-61 studying military science.

Henry Brush was later a colonel in the Ohio Militia.

Concurrently with his business endeavors, he served with the Ohio Militia from 1825 until 1849, rising through the ranks from sergeant to brigadier general.

He served as captain in the Ohio Militia from 1840 to 1843 and as brigadier general in 1843.

In the War of 1812, he served as a Major of the Ohio Militia.

He was commissioned quartermaster of the Fourth Division of the Ohio Militia in 1831, and was county recorder 1831-1836.