Ole S. Merager, M. D. Biography This biography appears on page 1901 in "History of South Dakota" by Doane Robinson, Vol. II (1904) and was scanned, OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net. This file may be freely copied by individuals and non-profit organizations for their private use. Any other use, including publication, storage in a retrieval system, or transmission by electronic, mechanical, or other means requires the written approval of the file's author. OLE S. MERAGER, M. D., one of the representative members of the medical fraternity in the city of Sioux Falls, is a native of Norway. He secured his early educational training in the excellent schools of his native place, and then set forth to seek his fortunes in America. He secured employment as interpreter on a Mississippi river steamboat, in which capacity he served several months. He removed to Goodhue county, Minnesota, and for the next decade he divided his time between labor of various sorts and attending school, having gained his technical education entirely through his own exertions. He began the study of medicine under able preceptorage, and also studied veterinary surgery. He devoted his attention to the practice of this profession for fifteen years, or until the time of entering the medical college. In 1877 the Doctor came to South Dakota and located in Lake county, where he made his home and headquarters until he matriculated in the Sioux City College of Medicine, Iowa, and there completed the prescribed course. Subsequently he took a special post-graduate course in the medical department of Hamlin University, in Minnesota. After his graduation the Doctor located in Oldham, Kingsbury county, where he was engaged in practice for a few months and then came to Sioux Falls, where he has built up a good practice and where he is held in high regard in both professional and business circles. He is a staunch Republican in his political proclivities and has been active as a worker in the party ranks, having on several occasions been a delegate to state and county conventions, while he has been called upon to serve in various minor offices of public trust. He is identified with the American Medical Association and the Medical Society of Eastern South Dakota, while fraternally he is affiliated with several secret orders. Dr. Merager was united in marriage to Miss Florence E. Lowe, of Sioux Falls.