Born November 4, 1813, in Buckingham County, Virginia, DuVal graduated from St. Joseph's College in Bardstown, Kentucky in 1833, and read law in 1837.
He was confirmed by the United States Senate on March 3, 1857, and received his commission the same day.
[1] Due to the American Civil War and Texas's secession from the Union, DuVal was unable to hold court from 1861 to 1865.
[2] However, he remained at his station in Austin, taking a job with the General Land Office to sustain himself, due to the fact that his judicial salary was unavailable due to the war and another unpaid position as a deputy county surveyor, which permitted him to avoid conscription into the Confederate States Army.
[2] He was sufficiently respected by the local community that he did not suffer indignities under the Confederate government.