Johnson Electric Supply Co. v. Spence
Johnson Electric Supply Co. v. Spence
Opinion of the Court
The question to be determined in this case is whether or not an automobile, of the type Hudson 1911, is specifically exempt from execution in favor of the defendant in error who was a married man at the head of a family and claimed he was not the owner of a homestead.
The judgment -was rendered against the defendant in error
Subdivision 5, Sec. 11725 G. C., provides that—
“Every person who has a family,” etc., may hold * *- *
“5. ' One sewing machine, one knitting machine, and the tools and implements of the debtor necessary for carrying on his or her trade or business, whether mechanical or agricultural, to be selected by him or her, not exceeding one hundred dollars in value. ’ ’
It is the claim of defendant in error that this automobile is an implement necessary for carrying on his trade or business.
We do not think that an automobile used as this one was, to carry about the defendant, his tools and supplies and at times to transport himself and members of his family comes within the contemplation of the statute as an implement, and therefore it is not exempt from levy and execution under Sec. 11725.
Under Sec. 11726 G. C., a person who is the head of a family and is engaged in agriculture, may hold exempt from execution:
‘ ‘ One horse, or one yoke of cattle with the necessary gearing therefor, and one wagon.”
- But the defendant in this case, is not a farmer, and these •sections relating to exemptions must be strictly construed.
.He can not claim this automobile is exempt in lieu of a homestead under Sec. .11738 G. C., because at the time that the judgment was rendered and the levy made on the automobile he and his wife were the owners of a homestead and living therein,
For the reasons stated we conclude that the judgment of the common pleas court should be reversed.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.