Founder Profile
Lucius Smith Lowe
Last reviewed: October 2026 · By Swet Parvadiya
Who is Lucius Smith Lowe?
Lucius Smith Lowe is a founder of Lowe's Companies, Inc., which was founded in 1921 with Carl Buchan.
- Company founded
- Lowe's Companies, Inc.
- Founded
- 1921
- Co-founders
- Carl Buchan
Background
A small-town merchant in Wilkes County, North Carolina, serving a largely agricultural customer base.
Founding Story
Lucius Smith Lowe opened North Wilkesboro Hardware in North Carolina in 1921, a general store that sold hardware, groceries, dry goods and farm supplies. After his death in 1940 the business passed to his family, and his son James Lowe and son-in-law Carl Buchan later turned it into the chain that carries his name. Lucius Smith Lowe was born in 1879.
Sources
This profile does not yet cite a source specific to Lucius Smith Lowe. The sources below document the company company rather than the person, so check them against the claims above.
- Lowe's Q2 2026 earnings release (Lowe's Companies, Inc.)
- Lowe's Q1 2026 earnings release (Lowe's Companies, Inc.)