Orville’s first known employment was at Arthur P. Sprague’s shoe store on Main Street in Kalamazoo. One day prior, this same advertisement appeared in the Gazette with the name of H. H. Baker as salesman.

It may be presumed that Orville was either promoted to a senior sales position at this time or he was newly  hired to replace Mr. Baker. Orville was said to have been a ‘popular and efficient’ salesman.

In December of 1891, he resigned his position with A. P. Sprague making him an 11 year veteran of the trade.