John J. Mertens, M. D. Biography


	This biography appears on pages 421-422 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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				JOHN J. MERTENS, M. D.  

	Dr. John J. Mertens, of Gettysburg, who stands high as a medical 
practitioner in Potter county, was born at Two Rivers, Wisconsin, July 
16, 1869, a son of Christopher and Geneva (Geiger) Mertens, both 
natives of Germany. The father was born in Prussia on the 13th of 
February, 1843, and the mother in Wurtemberg, January 1, 1841. Mr. 
Mertens emigrated to the United States in 1866 and Miss Geneva Geiger 
came to this country about six years earlier. They were married in Two 
Rivers, Wisconsin, and Mr. Mertens followed the shoemaker's trade in 
that state for some time. In 1888 he removed to Faulk county, South 
Dakota, where he engaged in the real-estate and insurance business 
until his death in 1907. While living in Prussia he served in the 
German army and was promoted to the rank of sergeant. He saw active 
service in the wars against Denmark and Austria. At the time of his 
death he was a colonel on Governor Elrod's staff. He held the 
confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens and served as alderman and 
as justice of the peace at Faulkton. Mrs. Mertens is still living in 
that city  

	Dr. Mertens, who is the oldest child and only son of a family of 
five children, attended the high school at Alma City, Minnesota, where 
the family resided for about ten years before they removed to this 
state. Later he entered the Medical College of Hamlin University at 
Minneapolis, and was graduated from that institution with the class of 
1903. He began to provide for his own support at the age of fifteen 
years and at the same time attended school. When about nineteen years 
old he was employed in a general store in Alma City, Minnesota. and 
subsequently taught school in that state for two years. He then entered 
St. Peter's Hospital at St. Peter, Minnesota, in the capacity of a 
nurse and so continued for two years, after which he entered a medical 
school, his experience in the hospital having led to his decision to 
devote his life to the practice of medicine. While taking his medical 
course he worked for the Minneapolis Journal and also for the street 
railway company, thus securing the money to pay his expenses. He was in 
school for five years and after his graduation removed to Potter 
county, South Dakota, locating at Lebanon, where he practiced for about 
seven years. At the end of that time he took up his residence in 
Gettysburg, where he has since remained. He engages in general practice 
as a physician and surgeon and has gained a large and representative 
clientage. He has remained a careful student of his profession and by 
wide reading and through his association with medical societies keeps 
in touch with the progress that is being made in the field of medical 
science. He belongs to the Aberdeen District Medical Society, the South 
Dakota State Medical Society, the Sioux Valley Medical Society and the 
American Medical Association, and the Chicago & North Western 
Association of Railway Surgeons.  

	Dr. Mertens was married on the 23d of June, 1903, to Miss Alberta 
Gillespie, who was born in Kilbourn, Wisconsin, April 11, 1875, a 
daughter of Thomas and Martha (Simpson) Gillespie, natives respectively 
of Vermont and Scotland. The father, who devoted his life to 
agricultural pursuits, was a pioneer of this state and passed away in 
Kilbourn in 1914, but the mother is still residing there. Mrs. Mertens 
died on the 30th of May, 1914, leaving a daughter, Margaret Gillespie, 
who is now attending school in Winnetka, Illinois.  

	Dr. Mertens is a republican, and in 1909 and again in 1911 was 
elected to represent his district in the state legislature. He is now 
serving as superintendent of the board of health of Potter county and 
has also held the office of justice of the peace. He attends the 
Methodist Episcopal church and conforms his conduct to high standards 
of ethics. Fraternally he belongs to the Masonic blue lodge at 
Gettysburg, in which he is steward, to the Eastern Star Chapter at 
Gettysburg, the Elks lodge at Aberdeen, the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows at Gettysburg, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Modern 
Woodmen of America and the Modern Brotherhood of America. He is also 
actively identified with the Theta-Tau Chapter of the Phi Rho Sigma of 
Minneapolis, a medical Greek-letter fraternity. His interest in South 
Dakota and all that pertains to it is manifested in his membership in 
the State Historical Society and in his willingness to do all within 
his power to promote the further development and progress of the state. 
He is respected and esteemed for his public spirit as well as for his 
professional ability and the integrity of his character, and his 
personal friends are many.