As he neared adulthood, Joseph Pritchett Megeath left the parental farm and was engaged for some time in trading operating teams as far away as Ohio.
Afterward, he engaged in general merchandising, owning and operating a farm for about twenty years, after which he retired and died at Philomont Loudoun county, Virginia in 1857.
James G Megeath could not secure living accommodations in that city and was compelled to cross the river to Council Bluffs.
Megeath subsequently sold out his general merchandise business and embarked as the head of a company in the commission and forwarding business operating from the changing terminus of the Union Pacific Railroad until the latter road made its connection with the Central Pacific at Monument Point.
For a number of years on account of ill health he led a life of quiet retirement but during later years he was engaged in the active real estate business In 1872 he joined with Andrew J Hanscom in deeding to the city the property now known as Hanscom park comprising 57 acres (230,000 m2) of natural park land the gift being conditioned solely upon its being retained for park purposes by the city and being improved to the extent of $25,000.
She was daughter of George Carter and granddaughter of Ambrose Walden, who was a lieutenant in the American Revolutionary War.