Bowman was born in Richmond, New South Wales and was the son of John Bowman, a pioneer settler from East Lothian in Scotland, and his wife Honor née Honey, from Cornwall.
[1] He had an elementary education and worked on his father's farm from an early age.
He gradually increased his land holdings with further properties in the Bathurst and on the Talbragar River and experimented with vine cultivation and the exportation of salted beef to India.
He represented the electorate of Cumberland Boroughs (Towns of Richmond, Windsor, Campbelltown and Liverpool) and retained this seat at the subsequent elections in 1848.
[5] He was the brother of George Bowman, also an elected member of the New South Wales Legislative Council.