James Ferguson Dowdell
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James Ferguson Dowdell (November 26, 1818 - September 6, 1871) was a U.S. Representative from Alabama.
Born near Monticello, Georgia, Dowdell completed preparatory studies and in 1840 was graduated from Randolph-Macon College, Ashland, Virginia. He studied law. He was admitted to the bar in 1841 and commenced practice in Greenville, Georgia. He moved to Chambers County, Alabama, in 1846 and engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was an unsuccessful candidate for election to the State house of representatives in 1849 and 1851.
Dowdell was 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. He served as president of the East Alabama College at Auburn 1868-1870. He died near Auburn, Alabama, September 6, 1871. He was interred in City Cemetery.
