Dorton, J. S. (Joseph Sibley), 1895-1961

J. S. Dorton was manager of the North Carolina State Fair beginning in 1937. During World War II, when the State Fair was closed, Dorton served as director of the state's War Manpower Commission. In that capacity, he was instrumental in planning an exhibit, to be permanently housed in Raleigh, N.C., of representative samples of everything manufactured, produced, or processed in North Carolina as a testimonial to North Carolina's civilian contribution to war effort.

From the description of J. S. Dorton papers on the proposed collection of war products exhibit, 1945. WorldCat record id: 182842430

J. S. Dorton was a long-time manager of the North Carolina State Fair, named to the post in 1937 by North Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture W. Kerr Scott. During World War II, when the State Fair was closed, Dorton served as the director of the War Manpower Commission. In that capacity, he was instrumental in planning an exhibit, to be permanently housed in Raleigh, N.C., of representative samples of everything manufactured, produced, or processed in North Carolina as a testimonial of North Carolina's civilian contribution to war effort. The display was meant to serve as a testimonial to North Carolina's civilian contribution to World War II.

From the guide to the J. S. Dorton Papers on the Proposed Collection of War Products Exhibit, 1945, (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. Southern Historical Collection.)