Eli Bowen was born in 1844 in Ohio, with the condition Phocomelia, or 'seal feet'. He had no legs, his feet protruding from his hips. He used his arms for walking and, as a result, developed great upper body strength. This enabled him to perform climbing and tumbling.
 
His career began at age thirteen when he joined a traveling circus; his skills earned him the title, 'The Legless Acrobat'. Throughout his long career he worked for a number of dime museums and circuses, including P. T. Barnum's and the Sells Brothers'.
 
At age 26, he married the sixteen year old, Mattie Haines. They had a total of 4 boys who would frequently pose in his Carte-de-Visites.
 
Eli Bowen was sometimes referred to as one of the handsomest men in show-business.