=================================================================(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.=================================================================
