The evening leader. (Tarpon Springs, Fla.) 191?-19??, 1915-03-12
HOME PAPER PAYS TRIBUTE
TO LATE JUDGE RANSTEAD.
Veteran Lawyer, Able Jurist, Was Held in
High Esteem Here as Well as
in His Home City.

his business successfully to systemize
it completely and to save as much
time in it's transaction as possible
The funds of these estates were large
ly left in his hands to loan and from
this grew t'he largest farm loan bust
ness in the country. With his force Of
clerks he in later years transacted al
most as much business as banking
institution and did this within few
hours day.
Arriving at his office as was his
custom al. seven o'clock in the morn
ing he arranged the business of the
day and as soon as the clerks arrived
an hour later, the disposal of the de-
tails was commenced. No mater how
large the days business was ne left
the Office at eleven o'clock and return
ed at one. When four o'clock came
the business was disposed of and re-
corded.
In addition to his law business he
vas for many years president of the
Home National Bank, position which
he resigned to take the vice presiden-
cy on account of poor health.
Never Waster of Time.
Judge Ranstead wasted none of his
time When not busy at his Office,
he occupied himself largely at his
home, where he could be foundsby his
friends generally reading the works of
some prominent author. He was con-
yersant with history of the world in
most of its details ana his addresses
to the Elgin commercial club a few
I years ago on taxation were a revela-
tion to many members who had known
hun for years. He was complete mas
ter OF the subject which he discussed
in detail.
Politically, Judge Ranstead was orr
g;nally democrat, and was elected as
a democrat to the office of judge. In
lis first campaign he was confronted
by formidable republican opponent.
The county was overwhelmingly re-
publican, but on account of his strong
personality and his mastery cam
paign Of the County, voters of all par
ties became his admirers and he was
elected by large majority. He was
conceded a second term by all parties
as his record as judge had been UNI
: paralleled at that time. He systen1a-
tjzed the manner of conducting bust
ness in. his court, cleared the records
OF cumbersome material and settled
estates with promptness. Aspirants
1or the office could not be induced to
enter the field against him. Despite
tbs fact that he had no opposition he
made as thorough campaign for his
reelection as he had made against his
republican opponent four years be
fore
Takes Early Stand Against Saloon.
After Judge Ranstead had left the
bench he became an advocate of tenn
perance reform in politics and was
among the first to declare publicly
that the saloon should be and event.
ually would be eliminated from poll
tics. In the campaign which resulted
ii the election of William Mckinley he
declared himself gold democrat and
advocated the election of Mckinley.
He made several political speeches
from that standpoint which were
printed and circulated by the repub
llcan campaign committee of Illinois.
He had decided views on all public
questions and was free to express
them on all occasions.
Judge Ranstead formed many firm
friendships early in life which were
lasting. At his home where he fire.
quently entertained when his health
would permit, he was genial and So
cial host. His addresses at banquet
tables were extremely popular. His
favorite diversion in early years was
hunting and, during the latter part
of his life, fishing. He was one of
the organizers of the Elgin Waltonian
club and it was his custom to give a
dinner at his home annually to his
fishermen friends. He owned a win.
ter home near Tarpon Springs, Flcri
da, where he spent part of each win
ter, devoting his time to fishing. Last
winter, while rowing a boat in the
rcpids, of the river there, he suffered
an injury to his spine which caused
partial paralysis, directly resulting
in his last illness.
After siege of illness in Florida,
he returned to Elgin and for short
time was able to be at his Office, but
later was confined to his bed. His
mind was clear and in many ways he
seemed to be improving but the para
lysis caused weakening of the heart
from which he frequently suffered
c;nlinp snal1c