History of Macon County, Illinois.  With Illustrations Descriptive Of 
Its Scenery, and Biographical Sketches of some of its Prominent Men and 
Pioneers.  Published by Brink, McDonough & Co., Phildelphia, 1880.  
Reproduced through efforts of The Decatur Genealogical Society, 1972. p. 
168 [Christian County].

ANDREW J. THRIFT.  Among the prominent and substantial farmers of Maroa 
township, stands the name of the subject of this sketch.  He was born in 
Christian county, Kentucky, October 19th, 1815.  Samuel Magruder Thrift, 
his father, was a native of Fairfax county, Virginia.  The Thrift family 
were originally from England, and came to America prior to the 
Revolutionary ar.  The grandfather, Charles Thrift, was a soldier in 
that memorable struggle for independence.  Samuel M. Thrift moved to 
Kentucky in 1811, and settled in Christian county, where he remained 
till 1831, when he removed to Illinois, and settled in St. Clair county.  
He died in Washington county, Illinois, September 3d, 1872.  He married 
Sarah (Fleming) Cowan.  She was a native of South Carolina.  By this 
marriage there were eight children; six daughters and two sons.  Two of 
the children have survived the parents, - the subject of this sketch, 
and Elvina D.  Andrew J. spent his youtful days upon the farm, and in 
the winter seasons attended the subscription schools of his 
neighborhood.  He acquired the rudiments of an education.  To this, he 
has, in later years, addesd a fund of information by extensive reading, 
and close observation of men and incidents as they transpire; and is to-
day well posted on past and current events.  Being of a modest 
disposition he makes no pretences to superior knowledge, but in a quiet, 
sensible way impresses his hearers with the idea that he is a man of 
more than ordinary intelligence.  While a resident of St. Clair county 
he followed the occupation of a farmer.  He remained there until March 
1st, 1864, when he came to Macon county, and purchased land in sec. 36, 
T. 18, R. 2 E.  He first purchased a quarter-sectioin, to which he has 
since added until now he has a large farm, and all under the best 
cultivation, and as well improved as any in the township.  On the 8th of 
January, 1835, he was united in marriage to Minerva Jane Hawkins.  She 
was a native of St. Clair county, and the daughter of Marshal B. and 
Elizabeth (Woods) Hawkins. Her parents were natives of Kentucky.  Mrs. 
Thrift died, January 10th, 1851.  There were born to Mr. and Mrs. Thrift 
seven children - three sons and four daughters.  Five of them are yet 
living.  Their names are, Isabel L., wife of Charles L. Marker; Minerva 
Jane, wife of Gustavus M. Bower, William A., Samuel M., and James P. 
Thrift.  Sarah E., wife of George B. Short, and Emily E. are dead.  On 
the 4th of September, 1851, Mr. Thrift married Anna C. Peter.  She was 
born in Carlisle, Cumberland county, Pa., but was a resident of St. 
Clair county at the time of her marriage.  By the union there have been 
nine children - four boys and five girls.  Five of the children are 
still living.  Those deceased died in infancy.  The names of those 
living are, Douglas A., Alonzo M., Charles A., Mary L., and Grace 
Truman.  The last four are yet beneath the parental roof.  All of the 
children, with one exception, are living in the neighborhood of the old 
homestead.  Mrs. Thrift is a member of the Baptist Church.  Politically 
Mr. Thrift is a Jeffersonian democrat, and a profound believer in the 
political principles as expounded by that eminent statesman.  He cast 
his first presidential vote for Andrew Jackson, and since that time has 
kept the faith, and remained true to the party of his first choice.  He 
is not, however, a politician in the strict sense of the word, only so 
far as to express his sentiments and preferences through the right of 
suffrage.  In his private life he is above reproach, and wherever known 
is regarded as an upright and honorable gentleman.

Cowan Fleming Gustavus Hawkins Marker Peter Short Thrift Woods
=
Carlisle-Cumberland-PA England Fairfax-VA Maroa-Macon-IL SC St._Clair-IL 
Washington-IL

http://www.rootsweb.com/~kygenweb/kybiog/christian/thrift.aj.txt