Ezra F. Bowman: A Historical Overview

Early Life and Training

Ezra F. Bowman (1847–1901) was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, into a family of Swiss descent. From a young age, he showed strong mechanical ability—especially with watches.

Instead of following the traditional 7-year apprenticeship model, his father arranged a two-year intensive training program with a Swiss watchmaker. This alternative approach shaped Bowman’s lifelong philosophy that technical skills could be taught more efficiently through structured education.

After completing his training, Bowman worked in several shops before opening his own business, including Lancaster’s first watch company, the short-lived Adams & Perry Watch Co.

The Jewelry Store (1877 - 1992)

In 1877, Bowman opened a retail jewelry and watch shop in Lancaster at 106 East King St.

Initially a retailer, he quickly expanded into wholesale trade, supplying smaller regional stores with tools and supplies. The business became known as Ezra F. Bowman’s Sons after his children joined. The store gained a reputation for selling and repairing watches and jewelry, and later shared space with his school.

A new building was built, and they moved in 1912 to the southeast corner of North Duke and East Chestnut streets

This business remained active for over a century, finally closing in 1992.

The E. F. Bowman Watch Company (1879 - 1882)

Bowman’s most ambitious effort was his attempt to manufacture watches.

Founding and Production

Founded in 1879 in Lancaster, worked with watchmaker and movement designer W. H. Todd and produced high-grade pocket watches. Mr. Todd previously worked at Adams & Perry Watch Company and its successor, Lancaster Watch Company.

Key facts:

Very small production scale (only about 50 watches total). The movements were largely handmade and high-grade; it is believed they made everything except the balance.

Today, the original E. F. Bowman watches are extremely rare due to their very limited production.

Watch Manufacturing Closure

By 1882, Bowman abandoned watch manufacturing:

He preferred focusing on tool-making, education, and the jewelry trade. He sold watch manufacturing machinery and operations to the J. P. Stevens Watch Company of Atlanta, GA.

The store continued to have watches made for them over the years using the E.F Bowman name, Ezra F. Bowman, or Ezra F. Bowman & Sons. Many were very high quality from the likes of Hamilton, Patek Philippe, and others.

Bowman Technical School (c. 1887–1992)

Bowman’s most enduring legacy was in education.

Ezra's father was the real "first element" of envisioning a school. John Bowman, writing in the Lancaster County Historical Society papers of 1945, said so. “Seven years of apprentice training for about two years of education wasn't a good trade”. Ezra's own life experience then influenced him to start the school.

Founding Philosophy

Rejecting long apprenticeships, Bowman created a structured, intensive training system similar to his own education.

He began teaching students informally in the late 1870s. The school was formally associated with him by around 1887.

Development

It became known as Bowman Technical School. It offered training in: Watchmaking, Jewelry repair, and Engraving. Eventually moved into a dedicated building in Lancaster (Duke & Chestnut Streets)

After Bowman’s death in 1901:

His sons, John J. Bowman and Charles E. Bowman, continued operations. The school and store remained closely linked.

In the late 1970’s, the school moved into a building on E. King St. The store remained on the corner of Duke and Chestnut Streets in the 1912-built building. The school move was due to handicap access requirements and funding for students.

Impact

Trained thousands of students in horology and trades. Gained a national reputation in watchmaking education. Influenced later American watchmakers and craftsmen

Closure

Edwin H. Parkhurst, Jr., purchased the School and Jewelry store in August 1964 following Charles Bowman's death. Parkhurst owned and operated the school until his death on April 12, 1991. His wife, Melanie Parkhurst, oversaw operations for several months before closing the school in early 1992.

The final class graduated in April 1992

Legacy

Ezra F. Bowman’s impact can be understood in three parts:

1. Watchmaking Pioneer

Among early attempts to establish watch manufacturing in Lancaster, they produced rare, high-quality watches in small numbers

2. Innovator in Education

Helped transform watchmaking training from apprenticeship to structured schooling. Bowman Technical School became one of the most important horological schools in the U.S.

3. Long-Running Business Influence

His jewelry store operated for over 100 years. It helped establish Lancaster as a center of American watchmaking

Even today, his legacy continues:

The former Bowman building still stands in Lancaster. It now has the Hamilton Boutique on the first floor and other businesses above. Also, in 2026, Lancaster County’s own RGM Watch Co. reintroduced E.F. Bowman watches as part of its high-grade watch offerings. linking past and present

Summary Timeline

1847 Born, 1877 Opens jewelry store, 1879–1882 Manufactures watches (E. F. Bowman), 1887 Establishes technical school, 1901 Dies; sons take over, 1912 School/store move to new building at the corner of Duke and Chesnut streets, 1992 School and store close, 2023 Hamilton Boutique opens in former Bowman building, 2026 RGM Watch Co. reintroduces E.F. Bowman watches.