He learned his trade as a carpenter in Paterson where he met Rachel Ann Winters. For many years they lived on North Main Street in Paterson.
After losing two of his fingers through an accident in the shop he was unable to work longer at his trade and started a grocery store.

1850 New Jersey, Passaic County, Manchester Township, p. 32 (taken 22 August 1850)
dwelling 167, family 255
Garret Doremus, age 33, male, grocer, born New Jersey
Rachel A.--------, age 28, female, born New Jersey
Charles G.,------, age 4, male, born New Jersey
Peter Winters, age 74, male, worth $1000, born New Jersey
Elizabeth------, age 70, female, born New York
Elizabeth Maze, age 18, female, born New Jersey

1860 New Jersey, Essex County, Newark, 7th Ward, p. 216
dwelling 1110, family 1560
Jerry Doremous, age 45, male, drives wagon, real estate 5000, personal estate 250, born New Jersey
Rachel A.--------, age 38, female, born New Jersey
Theodore--------, age 14, male, born New Jersey
David ------------, age 10, male, born New Jersey
John--------------, age 8, male, born New Jersey
Anna E.-----------, age 5, female, born New Jersey
Edward-----------, age 1, male, born New Jersey
Elizabeth Winters, age 80, female, born New Jersey

1870, New Jersey, Essex County, Newark, 7th Ward p. 128 or sheet 255 Roll 593-881
dwelling 476 family 2175
Doremus, Garret, age 52, male, white, produce com dealer, real estate 10000, personal estate 600, born New Jersey
-----------, Rachael, age 47, female, white, keeping house, born New Jersey
-----------, John W. age 17, male, white, clerk in store, born New Jersey
-----------, Anna E., age 15, female, white, attends school, born New Jersey
-----------, Jessie F., age 5, female, white, born New Jersey