Edward Orton Jr.

Professor Edward Orton Jr. (October 8, 1863 in Chester, New York, United States – February 10, 1932 in Columbus, Ohio, USA) was an American academic administrator, businessman, ceramic engineer, geologist, and philanthropist.

Shortly after his birth in 1865, his family relocated to Yellow Springs, Ohio, when his father became principal of the preparatory school of Antioch College.

In 1873, he began attending public school in Columbus after his father relocated the family after being appointed first President of The Ohio State Agricultural and Mechanical College.

The regular manufacture of high silicon alloy of iron, "ferro-silicon," in the United States was introduced first by him, at the Bessie Furnace, New Straitsville, Ohio, 1887–88.

By 1919, he became a Brigadier General in the Quartermaster's Officers Reserve Corp. On June 2, 1919, he was awarded a Distinguished Service Medal by the United States Congress.

Ceramic Foundation was formed as a charitable trust to operate of the Standard Pyrometric Cone Company.