BN 2 T OLIN MENS ILE VEEN SON: 
cause of pure science; for he always maintained that only by its 
rapid advance can the economic side find advance. The debt of 
geology to Edward Orton is very great, far greater than we are 
apt to think, for, in his writings, he effaced himself and often 
gave credit to others for what was rightfully his own. While he 
did much for science, he did even more for his. state, many of 
whose industries owe the present success very largely to his 
efforts—efforts due solely to his anxiety for the public welfare 
and made without expectation of reward, pecuniary or otherwise. 
But Professor Orton was more than teacher and geologist. 
With burdens of exacting character in the university and in the 
state geologist’s office, he found time and opportunity for serv- 
ices in other directions. The city of Columbus lay near to his 
heart and he was indefatigable in efforts to advance its interests. 
He was always ready to aid in any organization looking to the 
public good; even the state’s prisoners were objects of his care 
for many years. He did not neglect his duties as a citizen, but 
labored to secure proper candidates for political offices. His 
time belonged to others; he never felt himself his own. 
Professor Orton was always impressed with the exceeding 
value of time, with the importance of utilizing moments. He 
was as one intrusted with an estate to be improved to the last 
degree before the owner’s return. Every day’s work was done 
as though that were the only day. Such conscientious devotion 
gave authority to his statements. Whenever his conclusions 
proved to be erroneous, the error was regarded as merely addi- 
tional proof of the limitations of the human mind. With this 
spirit, whatever he did, whatever he wrote, was brought modestly 
as a contribution to the growing edifice of knowledge and was 
offered with such self-forgetfulness that recognition of its merit 
and of indebtedness to him appeared often to be a matter of sur- 
prise rather than of gratification. Honors came to him unex- 
pectedly but they came often. 
But while thus sensible of responsibility, Professor Orton 
never carried a burden. He enjoyed the companionship of his 
fellows; he had a keen sense of the humorous, but his humor 
never took the form of sarcasm; no sting wasattached to any word 
