Joseph Dorrell, a well-to-do and influential citizen of Whiteland, was born in White River Township, this county, December 12, 1836, and was the son of Jacob and Mary (Alexander) Dorrell, who were married in Dearborn County, this state, and came to Johnson County about 1832, and settled in White River Township, where both spent the rest of their lives. Our subject was reared on a farm in his native township. His early education, considering the very limited advantages, was thorough and complete. He was married in White River Township, January 14, 1858, to Louisa Doty; she is also a native of White River Township, born February 1, 1837, and daughter of Samuel and Mary (Mitchell) Doty, who were respectively natives of Virginia and Tennessee. In the spring after his marriage Mr. Dorrell located on a farm in Pleasant Township, upon which he pursued the vocation of a farmer until 1865. On the 17th day of February of that year, he entered the service of the Union Army, in Company B, One Hundred and Forty-eighth Indiana Volunteers, with which he served until the close of the war. He received an honorable discharge at Nashville, Tenn., September 5, 1865. He then returned to this county, and in the fall of 1865, he removed with his family to Howard County, this state. In the fall of 1867 he returned to Johnson County and located on the farm he had previously occupied, in Pleasant Township. He has resided in that township ever since, with the exception of about a year and a half, which was spent on the old homestead in White River Township. In about 1882, he removed to the town of Whiteland, where he has resided ever since. He was one of the foremost men who perfected the organization of the Whiteland Fruit Packing Company, of which he is a director and one of the heaviest stockholders. The marriage of Mr. Dorrell has resulted in the birth of five children: Mary L., born January 15, 1859; Julia M., July 16, 1861; Samuel A., June 15, 1866; Tillie A., November 29, 1872, and Effie May, December 13, 1881, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Dorrell are members of the Methodist Church. In politics, Mr. Dorrell is independent. He is the owner of two farms, one of eighty-seven and one-half acres, in Pleasant Township, and one of forty acres in White River Township. He is an influential and prosperous citizen, and he and wife are highly respected.