Born in Newbern, Tennessee, Bowen received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Tennessee in 1913 and a Bachelor of Laws from Harvard Law School in 1916.

He was a tax collector for the Internal Revenue Service for the Districts of Washington and the Territory of Alaska from 1933 to 1934.

[1] On February 22, 1934, Bowen was nominated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to a seat on the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington vacated by Judge Jeremiah Neterer.

Bowen was confirmed by the United States Senate on February 28, 1934, and received his commission on March 20, 1934.

Bowen served in that capacity until his death on April 27, 1978.