John Doran was born in Ireland in about 1815 and became a practicing attorney before emigrating to the United States.
[1] In 1850, he was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly, representing the 3rd ward of the city of Milwaukee.
In the run-up to the American Civil War, Doran became the leader of a Milwaukee-based company of Wisconsin militia volunteers known as the "Montgomery Guards".
[note 1] However, that Winter, Colonel Doran was compelled to resign and was placed under arrest by General John McArthur.
[3] Following his resignation, Doran moved to Chicago and resumed his legal career.