William A. Mynster, a prominent representative of the legal profession who has successfully engaged in practice at Council Bluffs since his admission to the bar in 1866, claims Denmark as his native land, being born in Copenhagen on the 13th of October , 1843. He is the only child of Christopher and Maria Mynster and was about three years of age when brought to this country by his parents, the family locating in Washington, D. C. In the spring of 1851 they came to Council Bluffs, being the first Danish family to locate in Pottawattamie County and probably the first in the state. Today the Danish population in Iowa is greater than in any other state.

Mr. Mynster grew to manhood in Council Bluffs, pursuing his early education in the public schools. Later he attended Sinsinawa Mound College in Wisconsin and the St. Louis University, graduating from the latter institution in 1861. He subsequently entered the Albany Law School at Albany, New York, where he was graduated in 1865, and then returned to his home in Council Bluffs to engage in the practice of his chosen profession. For one year he was alone and then formed a partnership with E. W. Hight, being engaged in practice for several years under the firm name of Mynster & Hight. He was next a member of the firm of James, Aylesworth & Mynster and still later that of Mynster, Mickle & Davis and that of Mynster & Adams. His next association was in the firm of Mynster & Lindt.

Mr. Mynster was united in marriage to Miss E. A. Platner, a daughter of Ira Platner, an early settler of Council Bluffs. She died in November, 1886, leaving five children, namely: William Rufus Choate, Marie, Ira C., Lester A. and Henry F. Mr. Mynster was again married August 31, 1898, his second union being with Miss Bertha Sherere, a daughter of George Sherere, a native of Switzerland, and to them has been born a son, Carl.

By his ballot Mr. Mynster formerly supported the men and measures of the Democratic Party, but has been a Republican for a number of years. He has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking, thought he has served as president of the City Council and as Attorney of Pottawattamie County. He is a prominent member of the Danish Brotherhood, the Danabo and the Danish Social Society, being one of the founders of the last named organization. He is the nestor of the county bar and has known personally every judge and practicing attorney located here. He has been elected president of the Pottawattamie County Bar Association for three terms and is now holding that position. Possessing all the requisite qualities of the able lawyer, he has met with marked success in his chosen calling. He is a strong advocate with the jury, and concise in his appeals before the court. His reputation as a lawyer has been won through earnest, honest labor and his standing at the bar is a merited tribute to his ability.