Frank Ward Bilger, M. D. Biography


	This biography appears on pages 356-359 in "History of Dakota 
	Territory" by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. V (1915) and was 
	scanned, OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				FRANK WARD BILGER, M. D. 

	Dr. Frank Ward Bilger is engaged in the practice of medicine at 
Ardmore, where he is also proprietor of a drug store. At the same time 
he is interested in dry farming and stock-raising, being connected 
therewith since 1910. Aside from business he is prominently known in 
his part of the state, for he is the representative from the forty-
sixth district in the South Dakota general assembly. He was born at 
Oakland, Iowa, October 10, 1883, a son of Wellington W. and Hattie 
Virginia (Louis) Bilger. The father, who engaged in law practice as a 
life work, died in 1893, but his wife survives at the age of fifty-four 
years. 

	Dr. Bilger spent his youthful days in his native state and 
attended the common schools of Council Bluffs and of Harlan, Iowa, 
after which he spent three years as a high-school pupil at Oakland, 
Iowa. He then attended the John A. Creighton Medical College at Omaha, 
Nebraska, for four years and was graduated therefrom on the 4th of May, 
1907. He has since engaged in the practice of medicine anda surgery, 
being an active representative of the profession. He came to Ardmore in 
1909 and in the intervening years has so demonstrated his ability that 
he is now accorded an extensive practice and also enjoys the high 
regard of his professional brethren. In 1910 he became interested in 
dry farming and stock-raising, owning a ranch and stock farm near 
Ardmore. He further extended the scope of his business activities by 
establishing a retail drug store in 1913, and he is likewise interested 
in the Ardmore Telephone Company. 

	Along other lines he is almost equally active. He has always been 
a stalwart supporter of the democratic party since age conferred upon 
him the right of franchise and has labored earnestly to advance its 
interests and secure the adoption of its principles. In 1910 he was 
elected city health officer for Ardmore and has filled the position 
since that time. In 1914 he was elected to represent his district in 
the state legislature and became one of the leaders in the session of 
1915, serving on a number of important committees and taking a 
prominent part in debate on the floor of the house. He gives careful 
consideration to each question that comes up for settlement and is well 
informed concerning the vital problems that occupy the attention of the 
general assembly. 

	On the 1st of June, 1907, at Beresford, South Dakota, Dr. Bilger 
was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Rose, whose parents are 
deceased and who is the youngest in a family of seven children. There 
is an interesting military chapter in the life record of Dr. Bilger, 
for during three years he served as a private of Company G, Second 
Regiment of the Nebraska National Guard. Fraternally he is a Mason, 
holding membership in the Knight Templar commandery and in the Mystic 
Shrine. He is also a Modern Woodman and is a past noble grand in the 
Odd Fellows lodge. He belongs to the Ardmore Commercial Club and in 
1911 was elected its president. After two years, service he retired for 
one year, but in 1914 was reelected and again in 1915, so he is now at 
the head of that organization, which through its well defined purposes 
and carefully executed plans is doing much for the upbuilding of the 
city and surrounding country. He studies municipal and civic questions 
with thoroughness and in working for the welfare and upbuilding of the 
state looks beyond the exigencies of the moment to the possibilities 
and opportunities of the future.