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James D. Lowman (1856-1947), born in Maryland, came to Seattle in the Washington Territory by 1877, at the urging of his uncle, the pioneer lumberman Henry Yesler (1810-1892). Lowman first worked as Yesler's Assistant Wharf Manager, overseeing the lumber and other goods loaded and unloaded at Yesler's Wharf near his lumber mill. In 1881, he purchased a half-share of W.H. Pumphrey's Book Store and bought the concern in 1883. He operated on his own until 1885, when he went into business with a printer, Clarence Hanford (1857-1920), who learned the trade while working at his brother's newspaper, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. By 1879, he developed a separate printing business with a partner J.H. McClair, but purchased his shares in 1881. He merged with Hanford to create the Lowman and Hanford Stationery and Printing Company, with the former as President and majority shareholder and the latter as Vice-President and Manager of the Printing and Bookbinding Departments. Their first location sold books, stationery, writing utensils, print services and even some new office equipment and keyboard musical instruments. The firm also retained the lucrative contract to print the Post-Intelligencer until their presses were destroyed in the Seattle Fire of 06/06/1889. Following Yesler's death, Lowman became a estate manager and financial and insurance agent, working in partnership with the Briitsh Consul to Seattle, Bernard Pelly (1860-1938). Pelly, in 1901, served as the Secretary of the Lowman and Hanford Stationery and Printing Company as well as a Partner in the Lowman and Pelly financial services business.

Lowman lived in this residence in 1901.

PCAD id: 18173