Born in PA, Doriss lived in Germantown, Philadelphia, PA, with his family in 1900; in 1910, he lived in a boarding house in Brooklyn, NY, and worked as a civil engineer. Doriss lived at 1522 Ramona Avenue in 1930, next door to the architect, Arthur C. Munson. Doriss rented his house for $100 per month. At this time his occupation was listed in U.S. Census records as, "Engineer, Architectural."

Doriss was one of 8 children; his mother was Jennie B. Doriss (born 04/1846 in PA); all of her children were born in PA, and included: Harry (born 05/1870), John N. (born c. 1870), Emma (born c. 11/1871), Adelaid (born c. 12/1874), Anna S. (born 06/1876), Florence (born c. 11/1878), and one other child.

He married Marion P. Doriss c. 1917;

He and Marion had at least three sons: Clinton (born c. 1916 in Canada), William (born c. 1917 in MA) and John F. (born c. 1920 in NJ);