Suits against corporations shall be commenced either in the county where the cause of action accrued, or in case the corporation defendant is a railroad company owning, controlling or operating a railroad running into or through two or more counties in this state, then in either of such counties, or in any county where such corporations shall have or usually keep an office or agent for the transaction of their usual and customary business.

(RSMo 1939 § 874)

Prior revisions: 1929 § 723; 1919 § 1180; 1909 § 1754

(1977) Held, agent for the purpose of venue need not be a “general agent” but may be any place where the corporation maintains an office or place of business. State ex rel. Pagliara v. Stussie (A.), 549 S.W.2d 900.

(1978) Action against several corporations may be brought in any county where any of them maintains an office or agent. State ex rel. Webb v. Satz (Mo.), 561 S.W.2d 113.

(1983) A registered agent for service of process is not an agent within the meaning of the statute. Sperry Corporation v. Corcoran (Mo. banc), 657 S.W.2d 619.