Clay County was formed in 1858 from Braxton and Nicholas and was named for the great Kentuckian Henry Clay, who was so popular in western Virginia that in 1820 a monument was erected to him for his part in bringing the National Road to Wheeling. Calhoun County was formed in 1856 from Gilmer and was named for John C. Calhoun, the eminent statesman from South Carolina. Calhoun County is an important oil and gas producing county, is largely devoted to farming, and has been prominent in livestock production.