298                 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY

member of the committee on finance. Of the legislation enacted at these
sessions he was the author of the “Pluck Me Store Bill,” the bill making
the state geologist the head of the department of internal resources of
the state, and of the amendments to the “Two Weeks Pay Bill,” having
charge, also, of the amendments of the general mining laws. As a legis-
lator, he was an industrious, active and efficient member of the upper
house, making a record both honorable and enviable.
    In the month of September, 1897, at the regular biennial session of
the supreme lodge of the Knights and Ladies of Honor, held at Detroit,
he was elected supreme treasurer for the term of two years, assuming
the duties of the position in October following, moving to Indianapolis
on the 15th day of December. His management and conduct of this
trust was so eminently satisfactory to the order that he has been five
times unanimously re-elected successively, and when his present term
expires, October 1, 1909, he will have served twelve years. During
this incumbency he has received and disbursed more than $18,000,000
and, is at this time in custody of bonds and currency aggregating more
than $500,000 He still retains his property at Brazil, and his farm in
the state of Kansas.

    Michael Combs, for many years a pioneer resident of Clay county,
died at his home, near Lincoln, Nebraska, March 11, 1872, aged 82 years.
Sixty years ago he owned the larger part of the ground on which the
town of Staunton stands, which place he founded jointly with Lewis
Bailey. Combs was an able minister of the Christian church and
expounder of the Scriptures, regarded the ablest of his time, perhaps, in
this part of the state. In 1852 he was elected state senator for the dis-
trict composed of Clay, Sullivan and Vigo counties, defeating Grafton
Cookerly, of Terre Haute. It is claimed to his credit that he opened and
operated the first coal mine in the county, near Staunton, and shipped the
first wagon load of Clay county coal to Terre Haute. He was just on
the eve of making another visit to his old home and preaching to the
churches here, when he was suddenly taken sick, surviving only five days.
    Job Combs, a brother, was also a minister in the Christian church.
The services of both were much sought and appreciated by the church-
going people of their day. Surviving parishioners of their time delight to
talk about their work in the cause of the Christian religion. It is said of
Michael that he excelled in scriptural interpretation, logic and sound doc-
trine, while Job excelled as the evangelist and revivalist.

    Delana R. Eckels, native of Kentucky, born at Flemingsburg, August
25, 1806, came to Indiana in 1826, locating at Bloomington, where he
studied and first practiced law, and where he married Louisa K. Elliott,
whom he survived. Leaving Bloomington, he located at Greencastle.
During his protracted and active life he occupied many positions of
responsibility and trust, his services therein always such as to do him
honor and satisfy the expectations of his fellow—citizens. He served two
terms as prosecuting attorney of Putnam county, was a memher of the
state legislature, and judge of the circuit court. Under the administration
of President James Buchanan he was chief justice of Utah territory. In
the Mexican war he earned promotion from private to captain of the
company and quartermaster of his regiment. He was also editor of the