Doktor der Rechte
Doe was born to Dr. John and Lemira (Damon) Doe in Cabot, Vermont on January 20, 1850. During the early 1850s, his family moved to Iowa City, Iowa. Doe was educated in local schools before graduating from the State University of Iowa (now University of Iowa) in 1870. He received a Doctor of law from the same institution in 1871.