Biographies
JAMES BACON, farmer and stock-breeder; P.O. Springfield. He lives in a beautiful brick house near Taylor's mill, about three miles east of Springfield; he takes great pleasure in raising fine horses and cattle, and has at present some very fine ones; he is a son of John and Mary (Cavileer) Bacon, and was born in Springfield Feb. 1, 1823; his father came to Ohio in 1812, locating in Urbana, Champaign Co., where he lived six years; thence to Springfield, living there until his death, which occurred March 5, 1878. His mother was born in Chestertown, Md.; her parents were among the earliest settlers of this county; she departed this life Dec. 22, 1868. James attended school until 15, when he entered his father's shop — he being a saddler — as an apprentice, and, at the end of six years, entered into partnership with his father, continuing the same some five years; he then went to New York City, clerking some five years in a wholesale hardware store; then, returning to Springfield, engaged in the dry goods business, under the firm name of Baldwin & Bacon, for ten years, when they sold out; he was then appointed, in 1861, Revenue Collector for this district, conducting the same satisfactorily two years, when he resigned, not engaging in any particular business until 1869, when he moved to where he now lives, and engaged in milling for a short time; since leaving the mill, he has devoted his time to his present occupation. He was united in marriage, Oct. 12, 1854, to Mary L. Topping, daughter of William and Mary Topping; four children — two boys and two girls — have gladdened their hearts. Mr. and Mrs. Bacon have enjoyed their married life very much, and would be willing to live it over again. An incident in his father's life is worthy of note. The family, which consisted of father, mother and two children, moved from Connecticut to Ohio in a wagon drawn by two oxen; John, then 12 years old, drove the team the entire distance.
From History of Clark County, Ohio, W.H. Beers & Co. 1881. Page 781-782