In 1897 Orlando Bacon was "the proprietor of Bacon's Hall and a prosperous North Vernon Merchant. He was married and had two sons and a daughter. The youngest son, Frank, assisted his father in the business. Horace W. Bacon, the other son was at that time, the owner of the "Klondike" a jewelry store in Spencer, Indiana.
   Mr. Bacon was considered a modest man by nature and he was listed among the leading merchants of Southern Indiana. He built his business building, a two story brick building, 24 X 105 feet, in 1883, on Madison avenue.
   The upper story of Mr. Bacon's building was divided in two parts. A large hall in the rear was rented out for lodge meeting, concerts and other civic functions. The front part was used for offices. The store on the ground floor contained "a stock of such magnatude and diversity that one might spend a day in it without fully knowing what it contained." Mr. Bacon's stock in the store was made up of books, magazines, newspapers, school supplies of all kinds, oil-cloths, rugs, carpets, trunks, valises, watches, clocks, jewelry, musical instruments, sheet musin and "a thousand other things in the way of novelties, house furnishings and articles of utility and ornamentation."
   Mr. Bacon at one time served deputy clerk of Jennings county. He held this office for two years. At one time he was a director of the State Bank. He resigned this position to devote more time to his business.
   In addition to his Madison avenue building he owned "store property" on Walnut street. He also owned a "handsome" residence at the corner of Vernon and State street.