Frank Bumer

FRANK BUMER. Through both his parents Frank Bumer, of Monessen, is the descendant of German ancestors. George Bumer emigrated in October, 1879, from Rhine-Bavaria to the United States and settled at Millvale, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, where he engaged in farming. His wife was Mary Ann Sherrer, and among their children was a son Frank, mentioned hereafter. Mr. Bumer died in 1882, at Millvale.

Frank Bumer, son of George and Mary Ann (Sherrer) Bumer, was born March 23, 1861, in Rhine-Bavaria, and was educated in the schools of his native land, completing his course of study at the seminary in Alsace-Lorraine. He was nineteen years old when the family came to this country, and for a time remained on the farm, assisting in his father's labors. He also acted as clerk in stores, was connected with the management of hotels, and engaged in various other occupations, all in Allegheny county. He there learned the jewelry or watchmaking trade, having had an ambition from early childhood to acquire this branch of industry, and being endowed by nature with mechanical ability. For two years he conducted a jewelry establishment on Beaver avenue, Allegheny, doing his own repair work. In 1898 he moved to Monessen and there erected the Hotel Monessen, the second hotel built in the borough. This he opened to the public in April, 1899, and conducted it until September of the same year, when he relinquished the proprietorship in order to engage in the real estate and insurance business, handling all kinds of insurance and in his real estate operations confining himself to Monessen. In 1903, in connection with William Bertelmann, he laid out a plan of lots at the head of First street, the plan being called the `B. & B. plan," and consisting of twenty-eight lots. He has been continuously in the real estate business longer than any other man in Monessen, and has probably handled more property in this borough than has any one else. In one day his sales reached as high as twenty-five thousand dollars. In addition to the hotel above mentioned he has built his own house and also three other properties. He is one of the stockholders in the trust company and also in the opera house, of which he was one of the pioneer movers, and with which he is further connected by holding the office of secretary to the board. In 1899 he organized the German Beneficent Union, of which he is secretary, being also a stockholder in their hall. He is secretary of the Daily Independent, of Monessen, and is now serving his second year as a member of the board of education. He belongs to the Royal Arcanum and is trustee of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, No. 773. In politics he affiliates with the Republicans. He was the organizer of the German Lutheran church, of Monessen, and it is through his efforts that the congregation now worship in a substantial and commodious edifice. He holds the office of secretary of the church.

Mr. Bumer married, February 12, 1888, Mary Auer, and they have five children: Minnie, Clara, Elsie, Frank L., and Marie. Mr. Bumer's house combines a residence and place of business, and here in 1904 he opened a grocer" store which is conducted by Mrs. Bumer. It is worthy of note that the twelfth day of February appears to be a date of some significance to Mr. Bumer. On that day, in 1888, his marriage took place, as mentioned above. On the same day in 1901 he was appointed notary public, and on February 12, 1905, his appointment was renewed.  

Source: Page(s) 253-254, History of Westmoreland County, Volume II, Pennsylvania by John N Boucher. New York, The Lewis Publishing Company, 1906.
Transcribed August 2008 by Nathan Zipfel for the Westmoreland County History Project
Contributed for use by the Westmoreland County Genealogy Project (http://www.pa-roots.com/westmoreland/)

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