James Alexander Holden

James Alexander Holden (1 April 1835 – 1 June 1887) was the businessman who founded the South Australian company which eventually produced the Holden automobile.

History James Alexander Holden was born in Walsall (at that time in Staffordshire), the younger son of Edward Holden, saddler and hardware merchant, and Eliza (née Huskinson). Their elder son was Edward Thomas Holden, later Sir Edward, industrialist and, briefly, Liberal MP for Walsall. James's mother died when he was quite young, and something like enmity developed between him and his father's new wife. In 1856 he set up in business as J. A. Holden & Co., merchants and wholesale saddlers, selling imported and locally made (no doubt from his brother) saddles, whips and harnesses. His business flourished, and in 1857 he married his landlady's daughter and purchased a four-roomed cottage in Beulah Park. They later moved into a larger home in Magill, then a year later sold up both places for a Kensington Park property of , where in 1871 the original cottage was replaced with a seven roomed residence, with substantial additions in 1875.

The business also went through a succession of addresses, from the original leased premises at the corner of King William and Rundle Street in 1856 then larger premises at 34 King William Street in 1859. The business, which became J. A. Holden & Co. in 1863, moved to a building in Gawler Place, which he purchased in 1865. A contract to supply carts and other equipment for the Overland Telegraph Line project's 165 horses and 210 bullocks was a major factor in the expansion of the business. James took Frost into partnership in the business, which was in financial difficulties. In August 1885 J. A. Holden sold to his son H. J. Holden and H. A. Frost his interest in the retail arm of the company, which in November 1885 became Holden & Frost. In 1886 J. A. Holden was declared insolvent. He put the wholesale arm of the business on the open market as well as the Grenfell Street warehouse. Under the terms of the voluntary liquidation, Holden & Frost continued to operate from the premises at 100 Grenfell Street until they were once again solvent, and the building was purchased by Harris Scarfe in 1923.

J. A. Holden died somewhat less than two years later, of tuberculosis complicated by alcohol abuse. married Annie Turner (1867–1957) on 22 July 1891 Captain Leslie Hubert "Les" "Lucky" "Homing pigeon" Holden MC (6 March 1895 – 18 September 1932) owner Holdens Air Transport Services, killed in plane crash. His father took over the business. Sir James Robert Holden (1 February 1903 – 1977) director of GMH's SA operations, knighted 1963, retired a few years later.

Mignon Holden (1929– )

Winifred Turner Holden, married Norman Hunter Graham Nell Holden Mabel Janet Holden (11 February 1871 – 1896) married George S. Lindsay ( – ) on 5 December 1895 Collingrove Holden (1874–1946) born in England, married Violet Ethel Crocker (1888–1967) (Charlotte) Alice Lynette Holden (24 January 1877 – ) married Lawrence Arthur Irving ( – ) on 16 April 1904