Fried v. Overland Motor Co., 202 Ill. App. 203 (1916)

Dec. 18, 1916 · Illinois Appellate Court · Gen. No. 22,445
202 Ill. App. 203

Albert O. Fried, Plaintiff in Error, v. Overland Motor Company, Defendant in Error.

Gen. No. 22,445.

(Not to be reported in full.)

Error to the Municipal Court of Chicago; the Hon. Harry P. Dolan, Judge, presiding. Heard in this court at the October term, 1916.

Affirmed.

Opinion filed December 18, 1916.

Statement of the Case.

Action by Albert O. Fried, plaintiff, against Overland Motor Company, defendant, to recover the purchase price paid by plaintiff for an automobile bought while plaintiff was a minor. From a judgment for defendant on a directed verdict, plaintiff brings error.

The automobile was purchased June 14, 1913, with money which plaintiff received from his grandmother as a gift. The automobile at this time was delivered to plaintiff. On June 1, 1914, plaintiff wrote a letter to defendant stating that he had elected to disaffirm *204his contract, and on or about September 12, 1914, appeared at the office of defendant and tendered the car, stating that at the time of its purchase he was a minor. He claimed that he became of age on August 13, 1914. Defendant refused to accept the car, and thereupon plaintiff resumed possession of it and has kept it in his possession since that time. Plaintiff testified that during the spring and summer of 1915 he used the car and drove it upon the streets.

Marcus J. Golden and Arthur J. Shutan, for plaintiff in error.

Underwood & Smyser, for defendant in error; Charles E. Young, of counsel.

Abstract of the Decision.

1. Infants, § 23 * —when minor may not repudiate contract after reaching majority. Where a minor after becoming of age does any act clearly showing an intention to affirm a contract made by him during his minority, he cannot afterwards repudiate it.

2. Infants, § 23*—when minor deemed to have ratified purchase made during minority. One who purchases an automobile during his minority and uses it for nearly a month after he becomes of age before he tenders it to the seller, and continues to retain possession of it and use it for nearly a year after arriving at legal age and after refusal of the seller to accept the machine, must be deemed to have ratified the purchase.

Mr. Presiding Justice MoSurely

delivered the opinion of the court.