Career
Born in Manchester, Holmes worked as a weaver from the age of eight. When he was ten, he ran away from home to live with an uncle in Padiham. He continued weaving, but also received some education at the local Unitarian chapel.
In 1871, he was elected as its president, serving until his death.
Despite his moderation, he was blacklisted by employers and instead took work as a rag and bone man to support his family, alongside his union role. In 1878, he led the union in part of a major but unsuccessful county-wide strike.
This led, in 1884, to the creation of the Northern Counties Amalgamated Association of Weavers, with Holmes as president Politically, Holmes was a support of the Liberal Party, and he served on Burnley Town Council.
However, his protege and designated successor, David Shackleton, did join Labour.
Holmes stood down from the Trades Union Congress in 1902, and became less active elsewhere, although he remained president of the Northern Counties and Burnley Weavers until his death in 1906.
