Background
Born in Daventry, Northamptonshire, England, John Rose Holden was the son of a wealthy Church of England clergyman.
Born in Daventry, Northamptonshire, England, John Rose Holden was the son of a wealthy Church of England clergyman.
He was well educated in both English and French, and studied law with Judge Campbell at Niagara, Upper Canada.
He was mayor of Hamilton, Ontario in 1851. Little is known of his early life, but he is believed to have come to Canada at an early age. Holden served on the city council for many years.
He was elected mayor in 1851, the year in which a new system of elections was introduced.
Two aldermen, two councillors, one inspector of houses of public entertainment, and one school trustee were elected for each ward. As mayor, Holden represented Hamilton at the Boston Jubilee.
A freemason, Holden became affiliated with Barton Lodge on 27 November 1844. He died in Hamilton, Ontario in 1879.
He was also a member of Saint Mark"s Church (Anglican), donating its first communion vessels.
