Born in Addison, New York, McDuffie attended the common schools.
In July 1861, he enlisted in Company B, 2nd Iowa Cavalry and served through the American Civil War.
He studied law and was admitted to the bar and commenced practice in Hayneville, Alabama.
He successfully contested the election of Louis W. Turpin to the Fifty-first Congress and served from June 4, 1890, until March 3, 1891.
This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress