The Burns family of Clinton has firmly planted roots in the community.
The family, as a whole, has connections to the Village of Clinton that range from business to sports to Hamilton College. This year marks a century in business for one Burns family organization.
The Burns Agency, an insurance agency that specializes in personal auto and home and commercial business insurance, is celebrating 100 years of serving Clinton and the surrounding area.
The agency invites the community to help them mark a century in business with a celebration Sunday, Sept. 29 from 2 to 5 p.m. at Alteri’s Restaurant.
The story of The Burns Agency starts in the early 1900s.
According to the Burns Agency’s website about its history:
“The Burns Agency was founded in 1919 by O. Gregory Burns, a prominent Clinton attorney. It began as an ancillary business providing car and fire insurance to Mr. Burns' legal clients.
“The agency grew as O. Gregory's son Nicholas K. Burns, Sr. joined in the early 1950's. Nick Sr. capitalized on the good Burns name in Clinton (established by his father and grandfather, O.J. Burns, who operated a successful grocery in town) by successfully becoming ‘The’ real estate agent in Clinton.
“Nick Sr. provided car and homeowners insurance to his real estate clients and was a one-man welcome wagon to people who settled in the community he loved. During his 30 years in the insurance business…