After Virginia seceded from the Union, John Carlile of Clarksburg was perhaps the most vocal proponent of West Virginia statehood. He helped lead early meetings to form a new state government of Virginia loyal to the Union, with its capital in Wheeling. This government soon helped create West Virginia.

Later, he upset many supporters by calling for a public vote on statehood after changes had been made to the approved constitution further restricting slavery in the new state. His opposition could have delayed or stopped the movement, but Republicans in Congress essentially worked around him. Though he remained a U.S. senator from loyal Virginia until 1865, his anti-statehood stance ended his political career.