James Ferguson Dowdell

James Ferguson Dowdell (November 26, 1818 – September 6, 1871) was the second President of the East Alabama College, now known as Auburn University, from 1868 to 1870, and a U.S. Representative from Alabama.^[1][2]

Biography

James Ferguson Dowdell was born on November 26, 1818, near Monticello, Georgia.^[1] Dowdell completed preparatory studies and in 1840 and graduated from Randolph-Macon College, Ashland, Virginia.^[1] He studied law.^[1] He was admitted to the bar in 1841 and commenced practice in Greenville, Georgia.^[1] He moved to Oak Bowery, Alabama, in 1846 and engaged in agricultural pursuits.^[1] He was an unsuccessful candidate for election to the State house of representatives in 1849 and 1851.^[1]

Dowdell was elected as a Democrat to the Thirty-third, Thirty-fourth, and Thirty-fifth Congresses (March 4, 1853 – March 3, 1859).^[1][3] During the Civil War he served as colonel of the Thirty-seventh Regiment, Alabama Volunteer Infantry, under General Price from 1862 until the close of the war.^[1][2]

From 1868 to 1870, he served as the second President of the East Alabama College, now known as Auburn University.^[1][2][3]

References