Samuel J. Offutt, well-known attorney-at-law at Greenfield, this county, is a native son of Greenfield, having been born in that city on November2, 1878, son of Judge Charles G. and Anna (Hammel) Offutt, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Pennsylvania, who were the parents of three children, of whom the subject of this biographical sketch is the second in order of birth. Judge Charles C. Offutt was for years one of the best-known lawyers in central Indiana. He came to Hancock county from Kentucky in the days of his young manhood and entered into the practice of law at Greenfield, quickly taking a leading place at the bar of the Hancock circuit court. He was a Democrat and was elected to the office of judge of the circuit court on the ticket of that party. Upon the conclusion of his judicial service he re-entered the practice of the law and thus continued until his death in 1903, he then being fifty-six years of age. His wife had preceded him to the grave about four years, her death having occurred in 1899.

Samuel J. Offutt was reared in Greenfield, the city of his birth, and was graduated from the local high school. He then entered Butler College, from which he presently was graduated, after which he graduated from Chicago University, where he also studied law, and then entered the Indiana Law School from which he was graduated in 1905. Thus equipped for the practice of his profession, Mr. Offutt returned to Greenfield and opened an office in his home town. A little later he formed a partnership with George J. Richman, under the firm name of Offutt & Richman, which partnership continued until 1911. Mr. Offutt then maintained his office alone until on March 1, 1916, he formed a partnership with William A. Hough, under the firm name of Hough & Offutt, which firm is now actively engaged in the practice of law. In 1913, Mr. Offutt was appointed county attorney for Hancock county and served in that capacity until 1915. Mr. Offutt is an orator of more than usual ability and during his attendance at Butler College represented that college in the state oratorical contest.

On December 27, 1913, Samuel J. Offutt was united in marriage to Nell Reed, who also was born in Greenfield, daughter of James F. and Anna (Pope) Reed, the former a well-known lawyer of that city. To this union was born a daughter, Margaret Ann, on May 14, 1916. Mr. and Mrs. Offutt are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and give attention to the various social activities of their home town, displaying interest in all movements having to do with the advancement of the community. Mr. Offutt is a thirty-second degree Mason, a Knight Templar and Shriner, and a member of the local lodges of the Improved order of Red Men and of the Knights of Pythias, in the affairs of which organizations he takes a warm interest.

Transcribed from History of Hancock County, Indiana, Its People, Industries and Institutions by George J. Richman, B. L., Federal Publishing Co., Indianapolis, Indiana, 1916. Pages 919-920.

Submitted by Sylvia (Rose) Duda, Laingsburg, MI October 7, 2001.

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