Biographical Sketch of James M. DORLAN (1881); Chester County, PA

Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Candace Roth 
<clroth1229@earthlink.net>.

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From THE HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY, by Futhey and Cope (1881);

Sketch facing pg. 518

  The United States government, on June 11, 1872, granted by letters a patent, 
No. 127,858, for an improvement in 'Sizing Paper, etc." to James M. Dorlan, 
which most valuable invention ha become of great benefit to the world.  It 
consists of a new and useful ingredient (in compounds or compositions of other 
ingredients) called chloride of lime, bleaching-powder, or bleaching-salts, or 
its equivalent, to be made use of in any suitable quantities, as and for an 
improvement in creating or forming a poreless or water-proof gum size in paper 
stock and paper pulp for gum pulp-sizing paper of any or all kinds, but more 
particularly for gum-sizing paper stock and paper pulp for making pulp-sized 
hanging or house-wall and other wall papers of all qualities.  Mr. Dorlan was 
born march 19, 1807, in this county, near Manor meeting-house.  He early learned 
the paper-making trade, beginning in his fourteenth year, and during this time 
only attended school one month in a year.  He served his apprenticeship with 
Davis & Cooper, and afterwards carried on the mill for Joseph M. Downing, now 
Guie's Mill.
  About the year 1832 he purchased the paper-mill on the east branch of the 
Brandywine, four miles from Downingtown, and now known a Dorlan's Mills. 
When he bought it thiry-seven acres of land were attached, and to this he added 
nearly two hundred more.  This mill, oiperated successfully by him for about 
fifty years, found a market for its paper in New York, Philadelphia, and 
Baltimore.  During this time he never was engaged in litigation with his 
patrons.  About fifteen hands were employed to run the mill, which is now 
operated by his son,Samuel B.  He was married in 1828 to Elizabeth Dowlin, to 
whom were born eleven children; the following are
living:  Samuel B.,; Thomas; John D.; James; Esther Helena, married to Henry L. 
McConnell, of Philadelphia; and Mary Elizabeth, married to Dr. C. G. Traichler.  
Mr. Dorlan is of English descent, and was the son of Samuel and Mary (Scott) 
Dorlan.  He started with no capital but his will and industry, and has been 
eminently successful in the race of life.  He was elected justice of the peace, 
but owing to extensive business declined to serve.
  In 1851 he was elected from Chester County a representative in the 
Legislature, and served a full term.  Is a member of the Presbyterian Church, 
and is highly respected in the community.  His invention and patent to make 
paper impervious to water, to which he devoted much time and means, has given 
him celebrity, and made his name widely known.