 Holden was the eldest son of Sir Isaac Holden, 1st Bt, M.P., of Oakworth House in Oakworth, near Keighley, and his wife Marion Love, daughter of Angus Love of Paisley, Scotland.He was educated at Edinburgh and at Wesley College, Sheffield.He was a partner in the firm of Isaac Holden & Sons, Wool Combers, of Alston
Works, Bradford.