Aldrich et al. v. Dunham et al

Case # 12194

Appellant/Plaintiff

James F. Aldrich, Hezekiah H. Smith, Martin Medberry, John H. Medberry, William Aldrich

Appellee/Defendant

John H. Dunham, Henry Hinsdale

Appellant/Plaintiff Attorneys

  • Dickey, Mather, Taft

Appellee/Defendant Attorneys

  • Goodrich, Scoville

County of Origin

Cook County

Justice

Justice Onias C. Skinner

Terms of Court

June 1855

Type of Case

Debt on Account

Disposition

Reversed

Citation

16 Ill 403

Case Summary

Hinsdale and Dunham sued Aldrich, Medbury, and Smith for a debt on a book account in the Cook County Court of Common Pleas. The jury found for the Hinsdale and Dunham, and Aldrich et al appealed. The Supreme Court reversed the lower court's judgment due to an incorrectly given jury instruction that Aldrich had to pay interest from the start of the suit. The Court added that mere defense in a suit does not warrant interest. 

Illinois Reports File