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In 1859 John Dorsey established the business on a part time basis by farming in the spring and summer and custom slaughtering hogs, sheep, and beef in the fall and winter months. The business was located in Continental, currently Dublin Road area in Woodsboro, MD. In 1908 John turned the business over to his son Ezra Owen Dorsey. Ezra moved the shop to Legore, outside of Woodsboro, MD. Then in 1939 fire destroyed the butcher shop. Ezra then moved his family to Woodsboro and built the current butcher shop now located at 100 Dorsey Alley, Woodsboro, MD.

In 1963 Ezra turned the business over to his son Lawrence A. Dorsey, Sr. who later went into partnership with his brother Carroll Ray Dorsey. Lawrence, (a.k.a. Lou) became a two term Frederick County, MD Commissioner and it was in 1975 when he turned the shop over to Carroll Ray. In June 1999 Ray's son Michael R. Dorsey became the owner and President of the Company. His son Ray served four years, active duty, in the United States Air Force. Now Ray has returned home and works at the shop with his father. Ray one day plans to be the fifth generation of Dorsey's to run the business.

In 1975 Dorsey's Meats, Inc. expanded to offering our meat products and serving food at the Farmer's Market, Frederick, MD fairgrounds every Saturday from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM and still do to this day.