HISTORY  OF CLAY COUNTY Records show as early as 1818 that a Mr. Elliot laid claim to land in the southeastern part of Illinois now known as Clay County. In 1842, Clay County, named for Mr. Henry Clay, was created from areas of Lawrence, Fayette and Wayne counties with Maysville as the first seat of government. This was most likely due to Maysville’s location on the national road between St. Louis and Cincinnati.   Even though Clay had some early settlers, it wasn’t until the late 1830’s that signs of real growth started showing with the arrival of Judge Apperson, Judge S. Hopkins, Mr. Stanford and Mr. Lee followed by the Tender, McCollum and Cochran families. New development meant changes and amongst them came the relocation of the county seat to Louisville in 1842.   Penetrated diagonally by the Little Wabash River, Clay County is known for its fine Oak & Ash lumber. With over one-half of the county under cultivation, everywhere you look there are fields of Indian corn, flax, tobacco, oats and hay.   Making up the county of Clay are Blair, Bible Grove, Clay City, Harter, Hoosier, Larkinsburg, Louisville, Oskaloosa, Pixley, Stanford, Songer and Xenia Townships. The town of Flora, located in Harter Township, was and is still considered today to be one of the largest trading centers in Clay County.