Mr. Killebrew is a member of the Primitive Baptist church, and Mrs. Killebrew and their daughters are members of the Missionary Baptist church. Politically he is a republican where national issues are involved, but at local elections is broad-minded enough not to be hampered by party ties, when only the capability of the candidate is a matter for consideration, and therefore votes independently at such times. He has held the office of highway commissioner for one term, and has been a member of the school board for nineteen years; but the honors and emoluments of office have little attraction for him. He finds that his business affairs make sufficient demands upon his time and attention, and he has attained through his own labors his position as one of the substantial and progressive farmers of the county.                                    __________________                                         ABEL DUNHAM     Abel Dunham, who since 1893 has resided in the village of New Salem but superintends the operation of his farm, was born in Ohio on the 7th of April, 1843, his parents being Lewis and Sarah Ann (Nelson) Dunham. His paternal grandfather was William Dunham, a native of Maryland, and the great-grandfather was of English birth, becoming the founder of the family in America. William Dunham was reared to the occupation of farming and was married to Miss Mary Chaney, who was also a native of Maryland and her parents, like the Dunhams came to this country about the time of the Revolutionary war. Mr. and Mrs. William Dunham lived in Maryland and Ohio until about the year 1845, but in the evening of life were residents of Illinois, where Mr. Dunham purchased a small farm in Griggsville township. There he died at the age of three score years and ten. His wife survived him for a number of years and also passed away on the old homestead on section 17, Griggsville township, at an advanced age. Both were active and devoted members of the United Presbyterian church and were people of strong religious faith, doing all in their power to promote the work of the church and extend its influence. They had a large family of children, of whom Lewis Dunham was the eldest.     The birth of Lewis Dunham occurred in Maryland, September 12, 1802, and he died at his home in New Salem township, September 14, 1866. His early life was passed in the state of his nativity, where he acquired his education. His marriage was probably celebrated in Ohio and he began his business life there as a farmer and cooper, making his home in that state until 1844, when in the month of April he came to Illinois. Three years later he settled on land of his own in New Salem township and was there successfully engaged in general farming. He was in limited financial circumstances at the time of his arrival in this county, but he became a comparatively wealthy man and improved a valuable farm of two hundred and sixty acres. He was a useful citizen of the township and an active and conscientious worker in the United Brethren church. He was widely known for his truthfulness, his industry and other valuable traits of character, which won for him the esteem of the community and the confidence of all with whom he was associated in business or social relations. In politics he was a stalwart democrat and his fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability frequently called him to local office. His wife bore the maiden name of Sarah A. Nelson and was a native of Maryland. Her parents were Elisha and Mary (Stringer) Nelson, who were also natives of Maryland and are thought to have been of Scotch lineage. They were farming people and after their marriage lived in Maryland, but later removed to Harrison county, Ohio, where they resided until 1842, when they came to Illinois, spending their remaining days upon a farm which Mr. Nelson owned in New Salem township, Pike county. They were members of the United Brethren church for many years and were earnest Christian people. Their daughter, Sarah Nelson, who became the mother of Abel Dunham, was born in April, 1807, and was reared in Maryland and Ohio. She came to Illinois with her husband, whom she survived for several years, passing away when more than eighty years of age. She, too, was a consistent member of the United Brethren church