William H. Ware, an attorney of Council Bluffs and a recognized leader in the ranks of the democracy in Pottawattamie county, was born in Baltimore Maryland, but was reared in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to the age of six years, when his parents removed with their family to La Salle county, Illinois. He there remained until 1867, when at the age of fifteen he came with his parents to Council Bluffs. Two years later, in 1869, he made a permanent location in Pottawattamie county. For two years he worked at farm labor and afterward engaged in teaching school in this county for four years. He likewise devoted one year to that profession in Nebraska and published a paper in Nebraska called the Sarpy County Sentinel. After a year, however, he sold the paper and, having prepared for the practice of law, was admitted to the bar of Pottawattamie county in 1880. He engages in a general practice in all of the courts and has secured a liberal clientage. He is also attorney for the Eagle Life Association and for one term he served as county attorney. He prepares his cases with great thoroughness and care and enters the courtroom well qualified to meet every point of attack.

Mr. Ware belongs to both the Modern Woodmen of America and the Fraternal Order of Eagles. His political allegiance is given to the democracy and aside from serving as county attorney he has twice represented his district in the state legislature, having been elected in 1890 and again in 1892. He was once candidate on the democratic ticket for the office of judge of the fifteenth district. His opponent was elected by a majority of only one hundred and fifty, although there is a usual republican majority of thirty-five hundred, so that Mr. Ware's defeat was one which amounted almost to a victory, as he ran three thousand votes ahead of his ticket — a fact which indicates his personal popularity and the confidence reposed in him by his fellow townsmen. While he is undoubtedly not without that laudable ambition which is an incentive for capable service in office, he nevertheless regards the pursuits of private life as abundantly worthy of his best efforts and has made a creditable record in his chosen profession. He is a member of the County and State Bar Associations and in both organizations has gained the good will and friendship of many of the prominent lawyers of the state.

[History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, Volume 2, 1907, transcribed by C. D.]