Case Name: The American Express Company v. Leonard B. Conant
Court: Michigan Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: Michigan
Decision Date: 1881-04-13
Citations: 45 Mich. 642
Docket Number: 
Parties: The American Express Company v. Leonard B. Conant.
Judges: The other Justices concurred.
Reporter: Michigan Reports
Volume: 45
Pages: 642–644

Head Matter:
The American Express Company v. Leonard B. Conant.
Service of process on foreign corporation.
Proof of service of process upon, the “ agent” of a foreign corporation in a suit begun before a justice is insufficient under Comp. L. § 1024, which provides for making service in such cases upon some one authorized by power of attorney to receive it.
Certiorari to A. T. Call, justice of the peace.
Submitted April 5.
Decided April 13.
Proceedings quashed.
Wisner é¡ Speed for plaintiff in certiorari.
Frank L. Allen and Ellsworth & Sapp for defendant in certiorari.

Opinion:
Marston, C. J.
This action was commenced in justice's court, and the return of the constable showed that he served the summons "by reading the same to the defendant and delivering to R. G. Cooper, agent of the American Express Company at Lakeview, a copy thereof." The defendant did not appear. The statute, 1 Comp. L. § 1624, prescribes the mode of service of process in such cases. As there was no attempt to comply with such provisions the court acquired no jurisdiction. Hartford Fire Ins. Co. v. Owen 30 Mich. 443; Hebel v. Amazon Ins. Co. 33 Mich. 400; L. S. etc. Co. v. Hunt 39 Mich. 469.
The judgment of the justice must be quashed and held for naught with costs to plaintiff.
The other Justices concurred.