[p. 450] head of the firm of Offutt & Co., leading undertakers of New Castle, Pa., has been a resident of the city continuously for the past twenty-three years. He was born in Plain Grove Township, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, in 1847, and is a son of John Offutt. The latter was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, and became one of the early settlers in Plain Grove Township, Lawrence County, where he followed farming throughout the remainder of his life. He was a prominent and aggressive Abolitionist in the ante-bellum days.
John C. Offutt was reared and educated in his native township, and resided on the home place until he was nineteen years of age. He then went to Youngstown, Ohio, for a brief period, after which he embarked in the mercantile business at Volant, Lawrence County. He continued there a few years, then sold out and moved to Sharon, Pa., where he resided until 1875. He was next located in the oil regions one year, after which he returned to Lawrence County and conducted his father's farm for three years. At the end of that time he bought out a mercantile establishment in Clarksville, Mercer County, Pa., which he successfully conducted until 1887, the year which marked his arrival in New Castle. In the latter city he engaged in the furniture and undertaking business in partnership with William G. Dunn. After a partnership of two years, he purchased the interest of Mr. Dunn and for a period of twelve years continued the business. He then disposed of the furniture branch of the establishment, and has since confined his attention to undertaking. He is accorded the patronage of the leading citizens of New Castle and the tributary country, and enjoys the confidence and highest esteem of the people. He has in association with him one son, Frank B. Offutt, under the firm name of Offutt & Co., the latter being a graduate of Trinity Hall College, of Washington, Pa., and of the Pittsburg School of Anatomy.
John C. Offutt was united in marriage in 1873 with Miss Louise E. Bovard, of Plain Grove, and they are parents of two children: Martha M., wife of John H. Mitchell, of New Castle, and Frank B. Fraternally, Mr. Offutt is a member of the Masons, Knights of Pythias and Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. Socially, he is a member of the Lawrence Club of New Castle.
20th Century History of New Castle and Lawrence County Pennsylvania and Representative Citizens Hon. Aaron L. Hazen Richmond-Arnold Publishing Company, Chicago, Ill., 1908
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Updated: 23 Oct 2001