ANTON NORWALD MOURSUND was born on March 26, 1877 in Oak Hill, Travis, Texas to Albert Wadel Hansen Moursund and Henrikke Marion Mowinckle. Albert W. Sr. immigrated from Norway to the United States in 1869 for his health in the mild Texas climate. In 1883, the Moursund family moved from Blanco to Fredericksburg, Texas, where Albert set up a law practice with lawyer and judge A. O. Cooley. He also served as a county judge, a Texas legislator, district attorney, and district judge.^[1]John Stribling Moursund, Blanco County Families for One-Hundred Years, at 294 – 297, (1958). Death Certificate for Anton Norwald Moursund, 26 Mar. 1912, certificate 41132, Tex. Dep’t of … Continue reading

In his youth, Anton Moursund attended school in Fredericksburg, Blanco, and Marble Falls. In 1897, Moursund graduated with his L.L. B. at the University of Texas and subsequently received his L.L. M. there as well in 1898. After graduation, Anton joined his father’s law firm as a partner, and he practiced in Fredericksburg and Mason until 1912.^[2]Biography A. N. Moursund, The Rattler, Mar. 7, 1935, at 2.

John Stribling Moursund, Blanco County Families for One-Hundred Years, at 296 & 297, (1958).

In 1901, Anton Moursund represented the counties of Blanco, Comal, Gillespie, and Hays in the 27^th Texas Legislature (­­­­Legislative District No. 98). During 1912 to 1920, he served as the youngest Associate Justice up to that time on the Texas Fourth Court of Civil Appeals.^[3]John Stribling Moursund, Blanco County Families for One-Hundred Years, at 297, (1958). Ernest A. Raba, St. Mary’s University School of Law: A Personal History, at 41, (1983). U.S. Census … Continue reading He also established his own law practice and gained a reputation as “an outstanding attorney in one of the largest law firms in San Antonio.”^[4]Ernest A. Raba, St. Mary’s University School of Law: A Personal History, at 41, (1983).

In 1927, the San Antonio Bar Association established the San Antonio School of Law and appointed Judge Moursund as the first dean in an advisory capacity. On October 1, 1934, St. Mary’s University took over the law school and Moursund remained as Dean. In his advisory capacity, Moursund’s credibility in the community and the state helped buoy the law school’s reputation while faculty member Henry B. Dieleman managed day to day administrative responsibilities.^[5]Ernest A. Raba, St. Mary’s University School of Law: A Personal History, at 41, (1983). Officers and Faculty of New Law School Receive Appointments: Very Rev. S. M. Metzger Appointed Regent; A. … Continue reading

In 1935, the American Bar Association ranked the not yet accredited St. Mary’s Law School fourth among Texas law schools. Its high admission standards compared favorably to other accredited schools, suggesting a promising and successful future. Moursund and Dieleman retained a strong faculty initially comprised of local San Antonio practicing attorneys.^[6]Law School Faculty, The Rattler, May. 23, 1935, at 2. St. Mary’s U Law School Ranks Fourth: Bar Association Publication Shows Local School High in State, The Rattler, Nov. 21, 1935, at 1. We … Continue reading

Moursund retired from his deanship in 1938 and worked as a circuit judge in San Antonio. Starting in 1934, Moursund also served for twenty-five years as a member of the Texas Board of Law Examiners, twelve of those as chairman.^[7]Ernest A. Raba, St. Mary’s University School of Law: A Personal History, at 41, (1983). Nation: A Texan’s Texan, Time, Dec. 11, 1964. Biography A. N. Moursund, The Rattler, Mar. 7, 1935, at … Continue reading

Anton Moursund also had an engaged family and his children contributed to Texas history.  In 1899, he married Elizabeth Patton and together they had four sons, Travis Bruce, Henry Walter, Roy Lee (who died young at the age of three), and Myles Patton. Travis Bruce Moursund practiced as an attorney with his father in San Antonio and represented Bexar County in the Texas Legislature.  Henry Walter Moursund also practiced law with his father and served as a Major in Field Artillery in 1945, Assistant U.S. District Attorney, and U.S. District Attorney for the Western District of Texas from 1947-1951. Finally, Myles Patton Moursund trained as a physician in the U.S. Army Medical Corps. He achieved the rank of Colonel and received the Legion of Merit Award in World War II.^[8]Texas, U.S., County Marriage Record, 1817-1965: Gillespie, Texas, USA, 1899 (reflecting Anton N. Moursund and Elizabeth E. Patton). Roy Lee Moursund, BillionGraves, accessed 26 May 2021. Birth … Continue reading

Anton Norland Moursund died on July 21, 1965 in San Antonio, Texas.^[9]Deaths and Funerals: Judge A. N. Moursund, Austin American-Statesman (Austin, Texas), July 26, 1965, at 8. Death Certificate for Anton Norwald Moursund, 26 Mar. 1912, certificate 41132, Tex. … Continue reading