She became a skilled gynecological surgeon, and in this field stood among those at the head of her profession in what was then considered to be the northwestern United States.

[2] Mergler was connected with the Woman's Medical College of Chicago from the time of her graduation, and for many years, served as an executive officer of that institution, where she also occupied the chair of clinical and operative gynaecology.

In November 1895, she was elected head physician and surgeon to the Mary Thompson Hospital for Women and Children, from which position she resigned two years later.

[1] When about one year old, her parents moved to the United States, settling in Wheeling, Illinois, where her father practiced his profession.

[1] Owing to the limited advantages afforded by the district school, Francis Mergler personally directed the early education of his children, and when the increasing demands of his career rendered this impossible, instruction was continued by private teachers.

Finding, however, that the profession of teaching was too narrow, she decided to pursue a career in medicine, as she had acquired a love for the subject from her father, whom she had occasionally assisted in his practice.

[1] In November, 1895, she was elected Head Physician and Surgeon at the Mary Thompson Hospital for Women and Children.

In this appointment, Mergler received the unanimous support of the Chicago Gynæcological Society, and also of the majority of the members of the medical profession in the city, a tribute to her skill.

[9] Mergler became ill August 1900, recovered partly, but left for California in April 1901, for rest and restoration of health.

Arriving at Los Angeles, she was slightly better, but died in that city at the age of fifty years of pernicious anemia, May 18, 1901.