BURNS, PAUL GEORGE, engaged in a printing business in Springfield, and serving as Clerk of the Probate Court, is one of the progressive young men of the city. He was born in Springfield, June 20, 1881, son of M. H. and Elizabeth (Schmitt) Burns. M. H. Burns was reared in Columbus, Ohio, but when a young man moved to Springfield, Ill. In 1877 he married Elizabeth Schmitt, daughter of Matthias Schmitt, of West Carpenter Street, Springfield. Six children were born of this marriage: Matthias M., Thomas N., John (deceased), Paul G., Mary C. and Henry (deceased). During the Civil War M. H. Burns worked as a teamster.

Paul George Burns was educated in the public schools of Springfield, until fourteen years old, when he entered the employ of T. W. S. Kidd, proprietor of the Morning Monitor, later working for Phillips Brothers. For five years he was foreman of the State Printing Company, and then bought the Capital City Printing Company, in conjunction with Charles Gaa. The partners are still conducting the business at No. 323½ South Fifth Street.

Mr. Burns has had but two places of residence during his life. He was born at the corner of First and Mason Streets, Springfield, and when three years old was taken to the present family residence, on West Jefferson Street, just outside the city limits, in Springfield Township. In 1904 he was elected Assistant Supervisor of Springfield Township, and re-elected in 1906, being the only Democrat elected to that office in Springfield Township in over forty years. In 1910 he was elected Probate Clerk of Sangamon County, which important office he still holds. In all the connections he has formed, Mr. Burns has proven himself a man of ability, and his conscientious performance of the duty which lies nearest at hand, has made the people repose trust in him, and indicates that he will be called to higher honors in the future. It is such men as he who prove the contention that this is the age of young men.