=================================================================(Page
100)I.Thomas J. Megibben was born March 28, 1831, in the
vicinityof Neville, Clermont County, Ohio, and there spent his
boyhooddays. He received his education in the schools of the
vicinityof his home, and in early life became a member of the
MethodistChurch. When about eighteen years of age, in 1849, he
left hisnative state and went to Harrison County, Ky., where an
uncle,Nelson Megibben, was then engaged in the distilling
business. Helocated near Cynthiana, (Harrison County,) where he
residedduring the remainder of his life.He was married near
Cynthiana, June 23, 1853, to Elizabeth J.David, who was born near
Indianapolis, Ind., February 2, 1833Several years after locating
in Kentucky, Thomas Megibben andbrother established the Excelsior
Distillery at Cynthiana, Ky.,which emerged into Edgewater
Distillery about the year 1873. Mr.Megibben was president of the
“Kentucky Horse BreedersAssociation,” of Lexington,
Ky., and the “Short-Horn CattleBreeders Association,”
of Chicago, Ill. He was also presidentfor many years of the
“Agricultural and Mechanical Association,”(Page
101)of Harrison County Kentucky. He was the first projector
andpresident of the Kentucky Union Railroad, and also president
ofthe “Latonia Association,” of Covington, Ky., from
itsorganization in the year 1881, until his death. Mr.
Megibbenrepresented Harrison County two terms in the lower branch
oflegislature, and the counties of Robertson, Harrison, and
fouryears in the state (Kentucky) Senate. He died at
palatialresidence, “Montcello,” Cynthiana, Kentucky,
Januaray 23, 1890,and was buried in Battle Grove Cemetary. His
widow and familystill reside at the above named place. Mrs.
Megibben connectedwith the Christian Church. Thomas and Elizabeth
(David Megibben)had eight children, all born in Harrison County,
Kentucky. Someof the children were educated at Shelbyville Female
College, Ky.,and the eldest son, James W., was graduated from
WesleyanCollege; Cincinnati, Ohio. The family record is as
follows: 1.Mary Lorain, born November 8, 1854 2. Martha J.,born
July 25, 1857 3. James William, born July 7, 1861 4.Nannie W.,
born March 21, 1864 5. John Thomasborn February5, 1866 6. Perry
Rufus born October 2, 1861 7. Birdella,born December 29, 1873 8.
David Clydeborn August 6, 1878(from photocopy of a book titled
'The McGinness Family' only havepp. 18-21, 98-101, 105
)=================================================================Farmer,
Distillery owner, Businessman, politican (State ofKentucky State
Repr. 1871-1873, again 1875-1877 & Senator 1879),horse
breeder, part owner & builder of the first Lationia
RaceTrack. (source: History of Bourbon, Scott, Harrison, &
NicholasCounties of Kentucky ed. by William Henry Perrin, O.L.
Baskin &County, Chicago 1882, p.664). Had horses in the
'Kentucky Derby'1.)year 1882, horse name was Newsboy, finished
11th. 2.)year1884, horse was Audrain, finished 3rd.. He was the
president of the 'ShorthornCattle Breeders Association Of
Chicago. In 1850 census, he wasliving with his mother in Ohio,
Clermont County, the town ofWashington. He was working as a
Distiller and supporting hisMother, brother John, sister Eliza,
and youngest brother James.In the Feb. 9, 1889 issue of the
Cynthiana Democrat, he was oneof the investors of the 'Cynthiana
Electric Light County' bringelectric power to the town. His home
is located in thesoutheastern part of the town, on a hill
overlooking the town. Itis on the National Register of Historical
Places. archeologicalsite #74000881 added in 1974, he named it
Monticello Heights. In1860 census, he was living in Cynthiana and
had his two youngerbrothers Jeremiah and James living with him
and spelled his
nameMcGibbin.=================================================================
