All civil actions brought in the district court of the county against any person or persons, firm, or corporation residing in the county, shall be tried, heard, and determined at the place of holding regular or adjourned terms of the district court which is nearest, by the usual route of travel, to the residence of the defendant or defendants, or the majority thereof, unless the place of trial shall be waived by the defendant or defendants; and, for the purpose of determining the place of residence of domestic corporations, such a corporation shall be considered as residing at any place where it has an office, resident agent, or business place; provided that if none of the parties shall reside or be found in the state, or the defendant be a foreign corporation, the action shall be begun and tried in the place designated in the summons.