Lamkin v. Robinson

35 Ohio C.C. Dec. 767, 32 Ohio C.C. (n.s.) 401
Procedural entryThis page is a short order in Lamkin v. Robinson. Read the opinion of the Court — 16 Ohio App. 440
Ohio Court of Appeals·Decided July 1, 1922·Published

Opinion

BUCHWALTER, J.

These preceeclings in error were brought to reverse a judgment entered in the superior court of Cincinnati in an action wherein John Robinson was plaintiff and Harry G. Lamkin, both as executor of Pearl R. Lamkin and individually, and certain corporations were defendants.

The corporations named as defendants are not interested in the cause, except for the purpose of transferring the shares of stock in controversy as the court may order.

John F. Robinson will hereinafter be designated as plaintiff and Harry G. Lamkin as defendant.

While the action was pending plaintiff died and the cause was revived in the name of his executor.

Defendant was the husband of Pearl R. Lamkin, who was a daughter of plaintiff, and so far as the said shares of stock are concerned was the sole beneficiary under her will.

The shares of stock in the defendant companies, which are the subject matter of this litigation, stand on the books of said companies in the name of Pearl R. Lamkin.

Plaintiff claims the ownership of said stock by reason of a written agreement executed by Pearl R. Lamkin on March 3, 1905.

This agreement was executed in five copies, in the presence of witnesses, one copy being filed with each of the various defendant companies.

The action was for specific performance of said written agreement, and to compel the defendant companies to accept the surrender of the certificates issued in the name of Pearl R. Lam-kin, and to issue new certificates to said plaintiff.

The defendant by answer avers that the contract was execu[769]*769tory and without consideration, was the result of undue influence exerted by the father, while said Pearl R. Lamkin was a member of his household, and without any independent advice.

That the gift, to take effect after her death, was testamentary in character; hence, void as not being executed in accordance with the laws governing wills, and, by the way of cross-petition, asks that specific performance be denied, that he be declared the owner of said certificates, subject, however, to the plaintiff’s right to the dividends thereon during his life.

The ownership of the said shares of stock and the dividends thereon, - accruing since the death of Pearl R. Lamkin, depend upon the validity of Sec. 4 of the instrument, executed March 3, 1905.

If that section is valid, said shares became the property of plaintiff at the time of the death of Pearl R. Lamkin; if invalid, they passed under her will to the defendant, subject, however, to plaintiff’s right to the dividends during his life.

The instrument is as follows:

“Whereas, I am the owner of'certain stocks, to-wit, five hundred and eight (508) shares of the capital stock of The United States Playing Card Company, evidenced by Certificate No. —; “Now eight hundred and three and three-fourths (803%) shares of the capital stock of the United States Printing Company, evidenced by Certificate No.-: and fifty (50) shares of the W. B. Oglesby Paper Company evidenced by Certificate No.-; now, this agreement is to show:
“That for and in consideration of one dollar and other good and valuable consideration to me paid, the receipt where of is hereby acknowledged;
“1. The said John F. Robinson is to have and retain possession of said shares of stock for and during the term of his natural life and collect the dividends thereon and apply them to his own use and he shall never be called upon to account for them to me or my executors or administrators.
“2. He is to vote the said stock at any and all elections of the said companies, respectively; and for this purpose I hereby authorize him, the said John F. Robinson as my true and lawful attorney, with power of substitution and revocation for me and in my name to vote at any and all meeting ohineetings of stockholders of said companies with all the pr%ers I should have if personally present.
[770]*770“3. That with my consent and approval, when in his judgment it is advisable to do so, to sell the said stock and reinvest the proceeds of sale.
“4. In the event of my dying before he does, leaving no issue of my body, then the said trust shall lapse and the said stock is to revert to him; and to carry out this condition I hereby authorize and empower the said United States Playing Card Company and The United States Printing Company, and The U. B. Oglesby Paper Company, and the respective officers of each to transfer the said shares of stock so transferred to me to the said John F. Robinson at his request.
“5. Should I die before my father, leaving issue, his rights hereunder shall continue and at his death the said stock is to become the property of my children or their descendants.
‘16. Should my father die before I do then the said stock is to come into my possession again and become fully my property.
“7. This agreement is to be in effect during the life of my said father — subject, of course, to our right to change the terms at any time we may agree to do so.
“In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand in quintriplicate — one copy for myself, one for John F. Robinson, ■and one for each of the said companies, this third day of March, A. D., 1905.
Pearl R. Lamkin.
“Witnesses:
“R. C. Belt,
“John F. Robinson."

The original investment was made by plaintiff who became one of the partners of Russell & Morgan. Later, to wit, in December, 1883, the partners formed a corporation known as the Russell & Morgan Company. At the time of the incorporation, the plaintiff received ninety-nine shares of stock of the par value of $1,000 each in the new company. In 1884 the plaintiff transferred ninety-five (95) shares of this stock to his wife Caroline F. Robinson, in order to protect his family in the event of misfortune, with the understanding that she would make a will returning it to him, in case he survived her.

During the years that she held this stock, the plaintiff received and used the dividends in the same manner as he had prior to tnc,itransfer.

Caroline ±7» .Robinson died suddenly in 1899, without mak[771]*771•ing a will, leaving her husband, the plaintiff, and four minor children surviving her.

Plaintiff’s brother was appointed administrator of the estate and plaintiff was appointed guardian of his four children. The shares were inventoried and appraised as the property of Caroline F. Eobinson. Plaintiff did not claim his- one-third interest but received the dividends, used them and all of the ■ children gave receipts in full to him therefor when they became pf age. The certificates of stock were transferred to their names at this time, although plaintiff retained the certificates.

The daughters, Caroline and Pearl were then each the holders of 23% shares of stock in the Eussell & Morgan Printing Company. In 1894, the United States Printing Company bought out the Eussell & Morgan Printing Company and Pearl Eobinson received 853% shares of stock in the new company.

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Lamkin v. Robinson, 35 Ohio C.C. Dec. 767, 32 Ohio C.C. (n.s.) 401 (Ohio Ct. App. 1922).

35 Ohio C.C. Dec. 767 (Lamkin v. Robinson) — published by Counsel Stack Legal Research, free access to 12M+ legal documents.

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