Oden Bowie graduated as valedictorian from St. Mary's Seminary and University in 1845. He served in the U.S. Army during the Mexican–American War, rising to the rank of Captain. Bowie held various leadership roles in the transportation and railroad sectors, including founding the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad and managing the Baltimore City Passenger Railway. He was also involved in the thoroughbred horse racing industry, contributing to the establishment of the Pimlico Race Course.

Oden Bowie's political career is marked by an intriguing blend of economic modernization and traditional Southern values. His advocacy for railroad expansion reflects a forward-thinking approach to economic development, yet his involvement in horse racing and the establishment of the Pimlico Race Course shows a deep-rooted connection to Southern traditions. Notably, Bowie's stance on slavery is complex; while he owned slaves, many of them enlisted in the Union Army, hinting at a nuanced view on the institution. This juxtaposition of modernizing economic policies with traditional cultural pursuits makes Bowie's political identity both unique and thought-provoking.