George Lumsden first established his watchmakers and jewellery business on Tay Street in 1861 approximately where the Southern Institute of Technology buildings now reside. He moved to his second premises in the next block west along Tay Street opposite St. John's Church in 1866. His final premises were on Dee Street, opposite the Post Office, which he moved to in 1872.

George Lumsden was born in Scotland in 1815 and began his watchmaking career in Edinburgh in the 1840s. He travelled to Geelong, Australia in 1853, and after a few years headed to New Zealand. He was on the steam ship ‘Oscar’ when it was wrecked on a sandbank in the New River in 1861.

He played an active part in the public affairs of the town and district. He was a member of the Southland and Otago Provincial Councils, and Mayor from 1873-1874, and again 1878-1879. He represented Invercargill in the House of Representatives, was chairman of the High Schools' Board, and a member of the Education and Land Boards. He was the founder of the Southland Pioneer Settlers Association and in 1877 the town of Lumsden, formerly the Elbow, was named after him. He died on 11 February 1904. He had four sons and four daughters, with two of his sons, George Lumsden and T.J. Lumsden, also in the watchmaker and jeweller trade.

Sources: Southland Times, Papers Past, https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/