Case Name: The German American Insurance Company v. Joseph H. Steere, Circuit Judge of Chippewa County
Court: Michigan Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: Michigan
Decision Date: 1895-06-04
Citations: 105 Mich. 566
Docket Number: 
Parties: The German American Insurance Company v. Joseph H. Steere, Circuit Judge of Chippewa County.
Judges: The other Justices concurred.
Reporter: Michigan Reports
Volume: 105
Pages: 566–568

Head Matter:
The German American Insurance Company v. Joseph H. Steere, Circuit Judge of Chippewa County.
Foreign insurance companies — Service of writ of garnishment.
1. Section 7 of Act No. 155, Laws of 1873 (How. Stat. § 4368), entitled “Ah act relative to the service of process upon insurance companies not incorporated under the laws of this State,” which provides that “the word ‘process’ in this act shall include any writ, declaration, summons, order, or subpoena whereby any action, suit, or proceeding at law or in chancery shall be commenced against any such insurance company,” etc., clearly includes a summons in garnishment.
2. Respecting corporations in general, the language used in Bridge & Iron Works v. Circuit Judge, 73 Mich. 155, that “our statutes nowhere provide for any service of a writ of garnishment upon a foreign corporation,” was correct, but it should not be held applicable to a particular class of foreign corporations, respecting which ample provisions for service had been made.
Mandamus.
Argued February 12, 1895.
Denied June 4, 1895.
Relator applied for manda/mis to compel respondent to quash the service of a writ of garnishment. The facts-are stated in the opinion.
E. M. Oren and FrcmJc W. Eine, for relator.
E. 8. B. Sutton, for respondent..

Opinion:
McGrath, C. J.
I am of the opinion that the service upon the Insurance Commissioner in the present case was good. How. Stat.- § 4368, provides that the word "process," used in that act,—
"Shall include any writ, declaration, summons, order, •or subpoena whereby any action, suit, or proceeding at law or in chancery shall be commenced against any such insurance company, whether such suit or proceeding is •connected with the insurance business of such company in this State or not, and whether such suit or proceeding Is founded upon any claim or demand connected with such business of insurance or upon matters growing out of such business, or whether it is founded or based upon any other claim or demand, whatever may be the nature of such claim or demand."
This statute embraces any writ, order, or summons in any suit or proceeding, and clearly includes a summons in garnishment.
In Milwaukee Bridge & Iron Works v. Circuit Judge, 73 Mich. 155, the proceeding was not against an insurance •company, and the Court evidently overlooked the statute relating to service upon insurance companies. Respecting corporations in general, the language there used .was correct, but it should not be held applicable to. a par ticular class of foreign corporations, respecting which ample provisions for service had been made. In view of the fact that in many cases this class of foreign corporations have no agents in the State upon whom service may be had, under 3 How. Stat. § 8086, it cannot be said, in the absence of express provision therefor, that the Legislature intended to repeal or limit the application of How. Stat. § á362 et seq.
The writ is denied.
The other Justices concurred.