The protection afforded by the laws of a country are inestimable. When the people overturn the jurisdictions of their nation, a chaos prevails in which the good is lost sight of in the terrible mobs and riots of the liberty-drunken citizens, as exemplified in the bloody revolution in the city of Paris. A wise people is that which abides by the edicts of its head, and employs agents to explain the methods of that body.

 Prominent in the ranks of the foremost of the brilliant circle of lawyers in the city of LaPorte, Indiana, stands the name of Warren C. Ransburg, who has a most thorough and practical knowledge of the complications of law, and has steadily advanced to the honorable position he now occupies in the estimation of the members of his profession, and his large clientele.

He was born in Salem Township, Steuben County, Indiana, July 16, 1855, a son of David and Mary A. (Stryker) Ransburg, the former of whom was born in Frederick, Maryland, and the latter in Steuben County, New York. The Ransburgs come of fine old German stock and the town of Eendsborg, in Holstein, Germany, was named in honor of this family. The paternal grandfather, Christian Ransburg, became a wealthy planter of Maryland, but he was eventually called from life in Steuben County, Indiana.

Like his father before him, David Ransburg, followed agricultural pursuits for a living, which calling he was pursuing at the time of his death, in 1871, in Branch County, Michigan. The mother still resides in the vicinity of Quincy, Michigan, on her farm, and although in her seventy-sixth year, is yet hale and hearty. Of five children born to them, three are living, Lewis C., who lives on the old home farm in Michigan; Mary A., wife of Horace G. Bidwell, of Valparaiso, Indiana, and Warren 0. The two children deceased were Francis M., who died in infancy, and Catherine M., who was the wife of Gilbert D. Lyon, of Michigan.

Warren C. Ransburg was reared to the healthy and invigorating life of the farm, and in helping to clear and cultivate the home place he obtained stout muscles and strengthened an already good constitution. When there was no work to be done on the home place, he attended the common schools of the vicinity, which were mostly conducted on the old subscription plan, and pursued the paths of learning sitting on the slab seats without any backs, which were in vogue at that period. At the time of the father's removal to Steuben County, Indiana, he purchased what was known as the Crusen Tavern, which had been a half-way house for outlaws, and he was very active in driving this very undesirable class of people out of the country.

After the death of the head of the family Warren C. began working out by the month, and attended school during the winter seasons until he was eighteen years of age, when he became a "Hoosier Schoolmaster," and continued to "wield the birch" during the winter months, and farm during the summers, until he had acquired sufficient means to defray his expenses at college. At the age of twenty-two he entered the Northern Indiana Normal School, at Valparaiso, as a member of the Senior class, although he had attended no other school, with the exception of a few mouths spent in the High School at Quincy, Michigan, the greater part of his education having been obtained by night work, after his day's labor was ended. He graduated from the above mentioned institution with the degree of B. S. in 1878, the following year being spent as Principal of the High School, at Hannah, Indiana. Following this he was Principal of the schools at Westville, Indiana, for four years, during which time he was a close student of natural history and prepared several valuable cabinets of specimens. He made two trips through the caves of southern Indiana and Kentucky and in all traveled over two hundred  miles under ground. Following this he engaged in the publishing business in Valparaiso and was one of the editors of the Northern Indiana School Journal, a position for which his extensive experience in the school-room amply fitted him. Later he published " The American."

In 1886 he accepted the position of Principal and Superintendent of the schools at Quincy, Michigan, and retained this position for nearly two years. From the early days of his manhood he had given considerable attention to law, and having prepared himself thoroughly for the practice of this profession he opened an office in LaPorte, Indiana, in August, 1887, and has built up a patronage which fully occupies his time and attention. In 1888 he was elected president of the Cleveland-Thurman Club, took part in the management of that campaign. He is now serving his second term as Attorney of LaPorte County, in the discharge of the duties of which office he has made an enviable record for himself. He is a great lover of all things old—" old friends, old books," etc., and during the many years that he has resided in different towns and cities, he has ever remained faithful to that noble animal, the horse, for which he acquired a great affection during his farm life. He usually keeps two or three good horses, and hardly a day passes that he can not be seen either driving or riding horseback. Socially he is a member of the I. O. O. F., the K. O. T. M., the Royal Arcanum and the A. O. U. W., and was for a time a member of the Michigan State Detective Association. While in literary and educational work he came in contact with many prominent writers and lecturers and some of his experiences may with profit be given; while on his cave-inspecting tour he heard of Esq. Boone's Cave and Mill, and wrote to that gentleman concerning them, and in due time received the following reply on a postal card:

"Your letter of inquiry in regard to my cave received and in reply will say that I am dead and have been for more than fifty years. My cave is a small affair, just large enough for my bones. I know of no specimens in it that would be of interest to you." I remain yours truly, Boone.

Mr. Ransburg has always been a great admirer of Bob Burdette and at one time wrote to him to open a course of lectures at Valparaiso, and in answer came back promptly the following characteristic reply;