The county was formed in 1860 from parts of Henderson, Hopkins, and Union Counties. Webster County was named for American statesman Daniel Webster who lived from 1782 to 1852. For the longest time, the county was mainly pro-confederate during the American Civil War and was the site of several skirmishes along with some Guerilla warfare. With a total area of 336 square miles, there are 13,621 residents calling it home.