The Bowman family migrated to Tasmania in 1829 and subsequently moved to South Australia in 1839. Edmund the eldest of the brothers was the first to come across but shortly after the rest of the family followed. They raised sheep at Islington (Enfield) before moving to Dry Creek, and later to the district of Burra before the copper mine was opened. The family did not stay there long however before shifting to land near the head of the Wakefield River. Land was also held at Werocata and Crystal Brook and at Poltalloch in the Coorong.

Eventually Edmund managed the business side of the family's work from Adelaide while the stations were managed by John, William and Thomas. John Bowman acquired a residence at Carolside  near Hobart and he died there 3 August 1900.