James Ferguson Dowdell was born on November 26, 1818, near Monticello, Georgia. Dowdell completed preparatory studies and in 1840 and graduated from Randolph-Macon College, Ashland, Virginia. He studied law.
James Ferguson Dowdell was born on November 26, 1818, near Monticello, Georgia. Dowdell finished his initial education and in 1840 graduated from Randolph-Macon College, Ashland, Virginia. He pursued a career in jurisprudence.