BIO: Robert A. BUMILLER, Centre County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JRB Copyright 2009. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/ http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/1picts/commbios/comm-bios.htm _____________________________________________________________________ Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania: Including the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion: Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Etc. Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1898. _____________________________________________________________________ R. A. BUMILLER, editor and proprietor of the Millheim Journal, is a well-known journalist of Centre county, and one of Millheim's foremost citizens. He was born January 1, 1855, in Munich, Bavaria, the only child of Francis and Creszentia (Von Kepple) Bumiller. The father was a well-educated man, of scholarly tastes, who served as district surveyor in Munich, and also occupied the position of instructor in surveying in the government schools of that city, where his death occurred. The mother, who belonged to a noble family of Germany, is still living in Munich. Our subject was provided with excellent educational privileges, being educated in one of the gymnasiums for which Munich is justly famed, and continuing his studies in that institution until he had attained his eighteenth year. In the summer of 1873 he left his native land to seek his fortune in the United States, sailing from Bremen on the 11th of July, and arriving in New York City two weeks later. His destination was Millheim, Centre Co., Penn., where his uncle, Adolph Miller (Bumiller), was living, and here he entered the printing office of George W. Foote, editor of the Centre Berichter, which paper was established at Aaronsburg, Centre county, in 1827. During the winter of 1873-74, Mr. Bumiller conducted an evening school, where the German language was taught, being well equipped for this task by his previous scholastic training in Germany, where he had acquired a thorough mastery of his mother tongue. This instruction was all given in addition to his duties in the printing office. The years 1874 and 1875 were spent in Bellefonte in the office of the Republican, where he gained a good practical knowledge of the art of printing, and on his return to Millheim, in the latter part of 1876, became German editor of the Berichter, which at that time was published half in English and half in German. In 1880 the paper became entirely English, and the name was changed to the Millheim Journal, at which time Mr. Bumiller became half owner and associate editor. Three years later he purchased the paper, of which he has since been editor and proprietor, and under the able management the circulation has been greatly increased, and the plant newly equipped with the latest improved machinery, run by steam power. In Millheim, Mr. Bumiller was married April 4, 1876, to Miss Ella, the eldest daughter of Squire B. O. Deininger, one of Millheim's leading citizens, and they have two children: Ida A. and Frances C. Politically, Mr. Bumiller gives his unwavering support to the Democratic party, and has served as councilman and school director. In October, 1894, he was also appointed notary public by Gov. Pattison, and during the Centennial celebration of Millheim was a member of the committee to which was mainly due its grand success. He affiliates with the Odd Fellows 282 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. Lodge of Millheim, and is a prominent and consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, now serving as secretary of its Sunday- school. He ranks among the leading journalists of the county, and as a citizen also holds an enviable position. 1880 Millheim, Centre County census - Robert A. Burmiller, 25 Ella J. Burmiller, 23 Ida A. Burmiller, 1