The New York herald., 1863-02-20
Obituary #
NICHOLAS LoNGwoRrH, rHK MILLIONAIRE AND VIM
aRowHg OF CINCINNATI. A


NICHOLAS L0NGw0RrH, THk MiLLiONAIkB AMI WIZ
aRowng or CINCINNATI. 1 h
Nicholas Iongworth who died Cincinnati on the 10th
inst the age Of eighty years. Of the most re-
markable among those who, by their industry and
good forure helped to build up the great West In his
history and his character Mr.. Longworth equally pc
cui,ar. He born In Newark j. in the year lTSa,
and brought up to the sboemakng business in his
early liio In May 1904 he migrated to Cincinnati then
only scattered and sparsey populated village Of about
seven hundred and fifty inhabitants adjoining Fort Wash
ingon the banks of the Ohio where the federal go
vernment maintained garrison, the expenditure OF
which formed that and earlier periods small share
OF the business OF Cincinnati
Mr.. Longworths connection with the grape and straw
berry cultivation 10 Southern Ohio has rendered his
nano rs familiar in the West his reputation as a
most fOE4unate and wealthy landowner, whose estate
At his death was said to be worth fifteen millions
OF dollars The beginning 0 his in Cincinnati was
a very curious one He commenced the study Of the
law, under Judge Burnett, an eminent lawyer, and
was admitted to the bar in advance Of the ordi.
nary period. Until 1919 he followed the law pro-
fess.on. Meantime he mad married widow Of some
means, and had devoted himself to speculations in
lots foreseeng that The value OF real estate must on
hance immensely In this way he laid the foundation OF
his vast fortune. At that time property was at very
low valuation many Of Iongworths lots cost him no
more than $40 each which in few years multiplied in
value hundredold But perhaps the first step 70 the
accumulation or his wealth was incident which occur
red him during his legal practice The story Is told oy
those who knew him well and kept careful record OF his
career Mr. Iongworth received rs legal fee from
criminal accused Of horse stealing, and who had nothing
else give second hand copper stills. These were
the charge Of Joel Williams, who kept tavern ad
acent the river and who large property holder
Al that time. ON presenting his order Mr.. Williams told
IOugworth that he could part with the stills, for he
was Just building distcry IN Butter county but ne
would give him a lot Of thirty three acres on
Western in lieu OF the articles Mr.. Longworth
whose OF the value Of property was always in ad-
Of public opinion, gladly closed with the proposal
Those thirty three occupied front on Western row
Sixth TO Seventh streets, running west and this
in real estate, itself furnished the basis Of an immense
fortne the ground itself being in 1851 worth nearly two
millions Of dollars and Of course is OF much more value
now His property increased SO rapidly that IN 1850 his
taxes rated higher than any other man in tho United
States, except Wm b. Astor, the taxes OF the latter
amounting 10 $23l16, while those OF Longworth were
The ground occupied by the celebrated Observatory Of
Cincinnati, which the late lamented General Q. NJ
Mitchell presided for many years, free Gift TO the
country by Mr. Iongworth e donated four Of his
land on Mount Adams for that purpose.
Mr.. Longworh was eccentric, and somewhat prided
himself upon his peculiarities lie rarely did things
other men do them. He was liberal and charitable but
his berahty manifested and his charity bestowed in
different fashion from most people II is told Of him
that OCCASION when he applied to 10 contribute
for poor and Industrious widow, upon ueing assured
that she worthy Of relief because she enegc
sally striving to support her children honestly he re
piled that he would give nothing such person could
alway2 find friends 10 assis. her sbu said he .bring
of the unfortunate devils who friends idle
drunken, worthless vagabonds whom nobody else will
help, and will relieve them" He did not always carry
out this system however, for in the distressing times OF
1885, when the laboring sorcly pressed, Mr.
Longworths fine mansion WAS like the Office OF relief
none went away empty Of WORK BE made occnpstion
for them, II none were a. band On ms
farms and vinsyards or IL his his splendid gardens.
do, It only 10 change the course OF walk, make
road cut stone in his quarries. III this way his
charity bOundess, and at the time most opportune
iu relieving suffering is true he paid little for THIS
labor; but he gave employment where was most needed
Mr. longworth devoted much Of his time TO agricul-
being favore study Every has heard of his Ca
tawba wine, both still and sparkling champagne Niche,
as well known old Nick Iongworth, who did much
for the culture OF the Catawba and Isabella grape in the
Ohio valley and nowhere perhaps, is he as Well known
as remarkable character ought To be.
The personal appearance and manner OF Mr. Lnngworih
about live three, thin in figure, and moved with
shamblng gait. He very careless in his costume
lie unfaingy white cravat, with shirt collar
sometimes reaching to his cars, sometimes alns over on
his neck. His hat was napess, old and dscoored bis
clothes fitting loosely ABOUT him. his shoes. or brogas
rather, largo and unbhcked, with the thong L
they had any, struggling about This figure, with
shands strck in the pockets OF a very long coat,
wa &% &% ~xs sxarSr ys y rnap n a aa
be easily recognized the streets Of Cincinnati as Mex
Longwofth, the millionaire.
curious anccdote is rcated ol him. which illustrates
his peculiary OF dress and habit On QUO OF those M
tolerably hot days which visit CINCINNATI in midsummer
he sat a stoop 10 rest for few moments, and while
wipng the perspration IRON his forehead he'd his nat in
his hand. A gentleman passing by, Judging from his
dress and aged appearance that was IN need u aims
dropped quarter into his hat. This was III the ancient
happy DAYS when quarters formed portion OF the circu
iatne medium. Mr.. Longworth put the coin IA his
pocket, and remarked. very naively, Th&nk yon, sir
never earned quarter so easily before IN my hio'
pespsng the eXternas Of wealth and elegance IN his own
person, longworth kept prnccly home His gardens
and abounded In the rares cxotcs and he did
shut them up with ni2gnrd hand from the public
His beautiful gardens pike street. near leer creek
were accessible every respectable person who wished
TO enjoy them, and if his gardeners were not on hand
Nicholas Iongwortb himself would perform the part
OF chaperone. Mr. l.. ready writer, full ol wit,
humor and sarcssm ns contributions TO the agrcuti-
raj magazines and daily journals were very valuable.
In fact agricultural aud fruit growing interests o the
West highly indebted to him for their progress.
Mr.. Iongworh had four chdren-thrce daughters and
SON One OF the daughters married 1atZ Anderson,
oi Cincinnati brother Of the hero Of Fort sumter pro-
ninent lawyer, at time a noticeable wing politician
ana a most elegant md accomplished gentleman. Jhs
wealth ot which Mr. Longworth died POSSESSED IS PIT
down at fifteen millions; but Is probable that may be
quoted at a much higher figure. Is city lots alone
would probably amount TO that sim. The vauc o bt
property suburbs Of Cincinnati and In The different
counties Western Ohio, from Hamilton county 10 san
dusky would probably swell his estate 70 twenty mi
lions. In every he a remarkable m,n, who's,
biography Is worth preserving
H,na IN Snns TxSr HSeIv my,