Nicholas Longworth II

Nicholas Longworth II was born on June 16, 1844, in Cincinnati, Ohio. His parents were Joseph Longworth and Anna Rives Longworth. His father, Joseph Longworth, was the sole son of Nicholas Longworth, a lawyer, winemaker, and land speculator who arrived in Cincinnati in 1804. The elder Nicholas Longworth was notable for his wealth, with a tax bill of $17,000 in 1850, ranking second in the United States behind John Jacob Astor. Anna Rives was related to William Cabell Rives, serving as his niece.

Longworth received his early education in the public schools of Cincinnati. He graduated from Harvard University in 1866 with high honors. Following his undergraduate studies, he studied law under Rufus King at Cincinnati Law School, who was his maternal uncle-in-law. Longworth was admitted to the practice of law in 1869.

In his legal career, Longworth initially formed a partnership with his cousin, Edward L. Anderson, which was dissolved in 1871. Afterward, he practiced law in partnership with King Thompson and Longworth from 1871 to 1877. In 1876, he was elected to a five-year term on the Common Pleas Court of Hamilton County.

Longworth was elected to the Ohio Supreme Court on October 11, 1881, as a candidate of the Republican Party. He succeeded Washington W. Boynton, who resigned his seat on November 9, 1881, due to health issues and dissatisfaction with the salary. Longworth was sworn into office on that day, with his term scheduled to conclude in February 1887. However, he resigned on March 9, 1883, citing his father's declining health and the necessity of managing his estate.

Following his resignation from the court, Longworth established a brief legal partnership with Thomas McDougall, which dissolved upon his father's death in late 1883. During this period, he managed his family's estate, traveled extensively, and translated a Greek work, Electra, which was published in 1878. In 1889, he published two stories. Longworth also maintained a steam yacht called the C.O. on the Ohio River and engaged in yacht racing on Lake Erie.

He was married to Susan Walker on October 2 or 3, 1869. She was the daughter of Timothy Walker, a founder and dean of the Cincinnati Law School. The couple had three children: Nicholas, born November 5, 1869; Annie Rives, born December 10, 1870; and Clara, born October 17, 1873.

Nicholas Longworth II died of pneumonia on January 18, 1890, at his estate, Rookwood, located on Mount Adams in Cincinnati. He was interred at Spring Grove Cemetery.

**Publications:**

- Electra by Sophocles, translated by Nicholas Longworth II, published in 1878 by Robert Clarke & Company.

**Family Connections:**

- His son, Nicholas Longworth, served as Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives.

- His grandfather, Nicholas Longworth (1783–1863), was a prominent figure in Cincinnati.

- His sister was Maria Longworth Nichols Storer.

- His father-in-law was Timothy Walker, a judge and educator.

- His daughter Clara married Clara Longworth de Chambrun.