James Ferguson DOWDELL, Congress, AL (1818-1871)

DOWDELL, James Ferguson, a Representative from Alabama; born near Monticello, Jasper County, Ga., November 26, 1818; completed preparatory studies and in 1840 was graduated from Randolph-Macon College, Ashland, Va.; studied law; was admitted to the bar in 1841 and commenced practice in Greenville, Ga.; moved to Chambers County, Ala., in 1846 and engaged in agricultural pursuits; unsuccessful candidate for election to the State house of representatives in 1849 and 1851; elected as a Democrat to the Thirty-third, Thirty-fourth, and Thirty-fifth Congresses (March 4, 1853-March 3, 1859); during the Civil War served as colonel of the Thirty-seventh Regiment, Alabama Volunteer Infantry, under General Price from 1862 until the close of the war; president of the East Alabama College at Auburn 1868-1870; died near Auburn, Lee County, Ala., September 6, 1871; interment in City Cemetery.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present