Mr. Holme was born, we believe, about the year  1800, within gun-shot of the Town Hall as we remember him to have once stated in public. He is the son (the eldest son, we understand) of the late Mr. James Holme, of Everton, who was a well-known and  extensive builder in the last generation, and a man yet remembered by many for his great industry, energy and integrity - qualities which were crowned with success, and inherited by his son.  It is said that the son was bred to his father's business in opposition to his own desire to enter the church but whether this be the case or not, it was within the memory of many that he served an apprenticeship to the paternal calling, and was himself manually concerned in the erection of some of our public edifices. In early youth. he was conspicuous for those peculiar qualities which have since characterised the man, and in due time he emerged conjointly with his brother, Mr. James Holme as one of the most extensive builders and contractors for railway and other public works in this part of England. Having carried on business with this well-merited success for many years, and given employment to perhaps larger numbers of workman than any other individual in Liverpool, he was enabled to retire at a comparatively early age, with the reputation of having amassed considerable property, which we trust he will long to enjoy. His first introduction into public life was as principal promoter and subsequent chairman of the Liverpool Conservative Tradesmen's Association, a combination which for many years exercised a powerful influence on the parliamentary and municipal elections of the town. It was during his connection with this body, now extinct, that the extraordinary powers of speech were developed for which he has since become famous and it is not too much to say that to the eloquent and earnest appeals of the chairman is to be attributed the influence for some years wielded by that Association. Fifteen years ago he made his entrée to the Council as one of the members for St. Peter's Ward, but resigned his seat after a few months in consequence of its interfering with his undertaking an extensive public contract connected with the erection of St. George's hail. In a year or two he was, however, elected for Rodney Street Ward by all but the unanimous voice of the constituency. That apple of discord - the Water question - having been thrown among the public, and Mr. Holme being one of the most strenuous advocates for the Rivington scheme, he was rejected at the next election by a large majority in favour of Mr. Algernon Jones, an old gentleman who had been in the service of the crown in Nova Scotia, but was almost unknown in Liverpool. The excitement upon this topic was so great, that Mr. Holme was accompanied into retirement by many of the leading members of the Council who opposed the popular gale and now that the storm has passed away, the burgesses have learned that the composition of the Council was not improved by the substitutions then made. Whether the supply of water from Rivington be the best or not, it is principally to Mr. Samuel Holme that we owe, the purchase of the waterworks and the prosecution of the scheme. Many remember tine fortitude with which, he stood the brunt of a stormy gathering in the Sessions House, and the able elucidation of the measure which he gave at a meeting of the electors of Rodney Street Ward, held at the Music hail, Bold Street; and it was to his writings and speeches, and to the unflinching determination which he evinced, in conjunction with Mr. W. Earle and Mr. Ambrose Lace, that the carrying out of the measure must be attributed. After being excluded from the Council for a year, he was again sent back by the electors of South Toxteth, for which Ward he retained his seat until he was elected an Alderman. In 1852 ho was elevated to the mayoralty by the unanimous voice of tine Council, as the successor of Mr. Littledale. Thus he obtained the highest reward which it is in the power of the town to bestow; and justice to a political opponent-one with whom we have often broke a lance-compels us to admit that on no former or subsequent occasion has the civic chair been filled with more credit to the occupier or satisfaction to the public, whether we regard the propriety which characterised him as president of the Council, the eloquence with which the more general duties of the mayoralty were adorned, or the liberality with which the hospitalities of the Town Hall were dispensed, and its often too exclusive barriers overstepped.
On the termination of his mayoralty, Mr. Samuel Holme was placed by Lord Palmerston on the list of borough magistrates, since which time he has regularly fulfilled the duties of the bench in a very able and efficient manner. In politics Mr. Holme is an inflexible, and, as times go, a consistent Conservative ; and he has been, since his entrance to public life, of great service to his party, both by his influence and his personal exertions, it has been a matter of surprise to many that a gentleman possessing so much perception, and who has always been a man of progress, should have continued so steadily attached to a political party which has almost become fossilised; and that one who has been foremost in the race of mechanical science should yet attach himself to the megatheriums of extinct Toryism. But our sketches are not political and we can respect the consistency of Mr. Holme, whose able support of and sacrifices for his party are admitted by all. His mind is essentially Conservative.
In alluding to those powers of speech which have obtained for Mr. Holme a more than provincial reputation, we should observe that though not an orator in the more extended sense of the word, he is possessed of a considerable number of the necessary elements.- being skilful and fluent of speech, with great natural eloquence, perspicuous in idea and diction, and earnest and forcible in manner. There is, however, more energy than grace in his style, which is a little too florid, and inclines to redundancy of expression. Perhaps, too, he lacks the pumice-stone and accuracy of reasoning which a learned education supplies; but at the same time, he is never grossly illogical, being a perfect master of English, and a gainer in power of what he looses in polish. He is of an excitable temperament, with a physical nervousness which betrays the restless energy of his character. In speaking there is "the frown, the trick of the forehead," and a gesture which is more than animated. He bears about him the spark which electrifies an auditory, and when his feelings are strongly enlisted carries everything before him. He has himself however, more under control than his manner would imply, as he never exceeds the bounds of decorum, or exposes himself to the penalty of retraction. On one occasion, during an exciting debate, a member of the Council on whose corns Mr. Holme had trodden, somewhat hardly hinted something about "personal satisfaction." The Mayor immediately called for an assurance from each gentleman that matters should "proceed no further." The challenger hesitated; but we shall never forget the buzz of satisfaction which rang round the Council room, as Mr. Holme rose and emphatically said that he had no hesitation in giving the assurance required, for he never intended to imbrue his hands in the blood of a fellow creature. The laws of God and man forbade him.
As a debater Mr. Holme is much less open to criticism, and is certainly without a rival in the Council; rapid perception, ready wit, and excellent tact standing him in good stead whether to lead a charge or beat a retreat. Moreover, he possesses the cleverness to see and the readiness to appropriate and mould the unworked ore in the minds of others - a talent which is in addition to, and not in substitution of, much originality of his own. his mind is of the perceptive rather titan the reflective order, but in too constant exercise to ho merely apprehensive, He is, however rather a broad than a deep thinker; there being few subjects of ordinary interest upon which he has not formed well digested opinions. His strong tendency is to decided action; if laborious the more grateful, and if undertaken in the cause of public or private friendship unwearied. Sometimes lie carries the habit of decision even to precipitation; and therefore it is in seasons of emergency that he is of the greatest service. At such times, this decision and presence of mind combine to render him invaluable in illustration of which, we have only to recall to the recollection of many his conduct at a critical moment in the history of a well-known joint stock bank, which it is not toe much to say was materially indebted to the promptness, and courage then displayed by him for its successful re-establishment. Besides being an excellent speaker in the Council chamber, he is an efficient member of its committees - being the chairman of the Improvement, the deputy-chairman of the Finance, and a member of the Law Courts Committee; and the confidence of the Council is generally manifested by his being placed upon nearly all committees appointed for a special object. To these duties he brings the large and invaluable stock of local knowledge with which his avocations have supplied him, together with that freedom from illiberal or short-sighted policy which is essential to the judicious administration of the corporate estate. Mr.Holme took a leading part in procuring the Health of Towns Act, and his report to the Government Commissioners on the condition of Liverpool previous to the passing of the act is often referred to as being clear, comprehensive, and sound. He has aided in giving us many public improvements; and, indeed, there has scarcely been a question of public interest for the last quarter of a century with which he has not been more or less associated.
In 1852 Mr. Holme was invited to become a candidate for the representation of Chester in Parliament, all invitation which was, as thought by some, injudiciously accepted, and which terminated in his retirement before going to the poll, from the irresistible influence of the Westminster family. If life and health he spared, there is no doubt that he will yet adorn the House of Commons, for he has administrative and natural abilities far beyond the majority of aspirants to Parliamentary honour. In all private relations Mr. Holme's reputation is deservedly high. He is upright, sincere, and liberal, Ho is an energetic supporter of our charitable institutions, particularly those connected with the Church of England, with which, he is identified; and he was mainly instrumental in the foundation of the Collegiate Institution. His private charities and kindness of heart are generally known and recognised. Among the members of our Corporation, there is none who, by capacity, character, or career, is entitled to a larger share of municipal confidence or general regard than Mr. S. Holme; and whether considered in a municipal, business, or private point of view, his talents, extraordinary energy, and numerous virtues have shed a lustre about his name which will not be extinct when the most durable edifice lie has been instrumental in erecting in his native town has crumbled into dust.

Samuel Holme (Item from Liverpool Gentlemen - a history of Liverpool College by David Wainwright published Faber and Faber 1960)

The first recorded move is a circular sent to a number of likely supporters, "friends of the established Church", asking them to attend a meeting on Friday, i2th July 1839, at two o' clock. The place was Mr. Jos. Crisp's office (that of the Protestant Truth Society—a militant body founded by the Rev. Hugh M’Neile) on Church Street, next to the Athenaeum: the purpose, to consider the best mode of establishment of a new Protestant Institution in Liverpool, for the education of all classes upon sound religious principles'.

    Two signatories appeared on this circular—two of the most influential laymen in Liverpool, Robertson Gladstone and Samuel Holme.

    Robertson Gladstone was approaching the high-water mark of his career. He was at this time 33. The second of old John Gladstone's four sons (William Ewart Gladstone was the youngest), he was the one who stayed at home to look after the family business, while the others left variously for London and Scotland, to play about with inheritances,property, politics and the Navy

    Samuel Holme was also a familiar and respected townsman, born and bred in the place. He claimed—often enough for a satirist to use the phrase against him—that he was born in 1800 'within gun-shot of the Town Hall'; and he let it be known that he went into his father's building business out of duty, though he had wanted, as a young man, to enter the ministry. He was astute enough to grasp the opportunities offered by the boom in railway construction—it was said that at the height of the track-laying he employed more men than any other individual in Liverpool. While still in his thirties he had made his fortune and could retire, leaving the business in the hands of his younger brothers, James and Arthur. He founded and led the Liverpool Conservative Tradesmen's Association; and he was deeply enough involved in the building of Rivington Waterworks to lose his council seat over a dispute over the declaration of interest. Excitable, volatile, he spoke vividly though without polish; his enemies admitted that 'his strong tendency is to decided action'.

    These two men, successful in business and acknowledged leaders in schemes for local improvements, were the figureheads under whom the Protestant Institution was to be launched.

         Copy of an article in a newspaper of Unknown date and origin
                         Mr Samuel Holme
 The name of Mr. Samuel Holme (prominently associated, as already mentioned, with the formation of the Collegiate High School) is quite unknown to the majority of Liverpolitans to-day; and yet, as Picton's "Memorials" and other evidence show, he was one of our most eminent townsmen.
 Holme was born in Liverpool in the year 1800, and until his death in 1872 was a strenuous worker. Our subject, Samuel, with his brother, James Holme, were extensive builders and contractors for railway and other public works, their premises being situated in Mount Pleasant, between Benson Street and Roscoe Street. The firm at one time employed more workmen than any other in the town. The business proved successful, and at a comparatively early age Mr Samuel Holme retired and devoted himself to public work. He might not inaptly be styled the Alderman Salvidge of his time, for he was the founder and, for many years, likewise the chairman of the Liverpool Conservative Tradesmen's
Association, which for a long time exercised a powerful influence on the parliamentary and municipal elections of the town. It is rather interesting to recall (by way of parenthesis) that Mr W E Gladstone, in the early thirties of the century, then "the rising hope of the Tory Party", was a guest of
honour at a banquet connected with that association!
 In 1836 Holme first entered the Town Council, but retired temporarily,in consequence of his having undertaken an extensive contract relating to St George's Hall, then being erected. Voters in Rodney Street Ward, however, returned him almost unanimously a few years later.

The cutting is torn at this point, the next section being lost.

Mr. James Holme  ('Pen and ink studies of Liverpool town councillors by a local artist'. H.Shimin published 1866.)

 The subject of our present notice is the son of the late Mr. James Holme, of Everton, and a younger brother of Mr. Alderman Holme. He can scarcely be fifty years of age and he has been for about eight years a member of the council. He is better known in connection with the Dock Committee than with the Council, having taken an active part in the proceedings of the former body, to which he was delegated as one of the representatives of the Council, while he seldom speaks in the Council chamber, and then it is generally on subjects connected with the dock estate.. His attendance at the meetings of the Council is somewhat lax, and we recollect Mr. Gladstone complaining that he did not attend the meetings of the Health Committee with regularity. Mr. Holme excused himself on the plea that he had railway contracts in Ireland which occupied much of his attention. It is seldom, however, that a meeting of the Dock Committee occurs without our seeing his name recorded as being present. The Dock Committee's proceedings are evidently more to his taste than those of the Council, and it is universally admitted that his sound practical knowledge has been of great use in the management of that great estate. He and his brother do not always agree on dock policy, Mr. James Holme having been a strenuous advocate for dock extension to the northward, whilst the alderman has been an opponent of the measure, and a supporter of centralisation. Both were advocates of the purchase of the Birkenhead Docks, and we presume that both were favourable to turning this extensive purchase to practical account. It is said, and we believe with truth, that it was principally at Mr. James Holme's suggestion, and through his influence and exertions, that the Dock Committee purchased so much vacant land near the north docks from Lord Derby and Mr. Leigh, so as to prevent other persons from purchasing it and covering it with buildings, which the committee would have had to buy when required at an enormously enhanced price, after it had been covered with buildings or let on lease. This foresight will doubtless save a large outlay at a future and not distant period.
Mr. James Holme is a good-humoured, rosy-checked man, and looks as if the world and he had agreed well together. His 'build' is fitting for an Alderman, and it is evident that good cheer agrees with him, and that he thrives upon it. In circumference he is one of the largest men in the room, and his face is indicative of jollity and contentment. He does not speak very often in Council, nor has lie the facility of speech or the debating power of his brother. But there is about him a degree of honest frankness and good common sense which always commands attention, and his opinions carry both weight and conviction. Although his head seems to indicate great firmness and resolution, he wants quiet self-possession, and displays nervousness and timidity when he rises to speak, as if the act were painful to himself. When, however, he has got over the first few sentences, lie gains confidence, and his speeches, though always short, are to the purpose; whilst his warmth of temperament, his tone and manner, abundantly prove that he always means what he says. In plain language (not always quite grammatical) he goes at once to the point under consideration, and always succeeds in making it clear. On dock matters he is quite oracular, and as his knowledge is of a practical character his opinions carry great weight. He incurred some odium by consenting to be the medium of negotiation between the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway
and the Corporation for the sale of land in Great Howard Street; but his friends think that the odium was both unmerited and unjust, and that the open way in which he made the offer had nothing of the 'job' about it. During the discussions which took place on the subject, the Council, notwithstanding the free use of his name, refused to hear his explanation of the matter, because he was a shareholder in the railway - thus giving what appeared to some persons a rather harsh interpretation of a very excellent rule
Mr. Holme succeeds were abler man would fail, because he makes no pretensions. He is unassuming in manner, but has a degree of bluntness which is difficult to describe, and which sometimes smacks of asperity. He is evidently a very timid man, and lacks resolutions; and  we should hardly choose him to command an army or storm a fortress. But his good humour is predominant and catching, and the smile which generally plays over his features communicates itself to others, and produces merriment. He has retired from business, and his time is consequently at his own disposal. He is a director of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway, a director of the Royal Insurance Company, and an active member of one or two of our benevolent institutions. We read occasionally of  his presiding at the annual festivities of the Apollo Club, whence we gather that he is  musical. If we mistake not, he is also a member of the committee of the Philharmonic Society. Mr. Holme is rather of the practical than the theoretical, more useful than ornamental. His opinion is more valuable than his diction is graceful, and we always admire his matter than his manner. He never attempted a simile, nor illustrated his subject by any figure of rhetoric, and he is concise and explanatory rather than argumentative. His career has been one of great industry, and he is generally esteemed for his highly honourable conduct. He has been spoken of for the mayoralty; but it is generally said that he is not ambitious of the honour, and this we can readily believe. He is one of the members for St. Peter's Ward. The Messrs. Holme have sometimes been confounded with the brothers of that name who were formerly members of the Council, but they were in no way connected. Messrs. John, Henry and Isaac Holmes had the final 's' which the present Messrs. Holme have not.

        Copy of an article in a newspaper of unknown date or origin 

        Death of Colonel Hill Holme
         A great contractor
We regret to announce the death of Colonel Arthur Hill Holme, V.D, J.P., which took place at his residence, Gambier Terrace, yesterday morning. Deceased, who had been in failing health for some time, was seventy-one years of age. He was taken ill more than a year ago on account, it is believed, of some deleterious substance in food of which he had partaken. Ptomaine poisoning set in, with complications, and an operation for appendicitis became necessary. Mr Holme slowly worked his way back to an apparent complete restoration, attended to business, and was seen occasionally at social functions, to the great gratification of many personal friends. Four or five weeks ago, however, his condition was such that specialists were called in, but their skill was to no avail. He gradually grew weaker, and passed away, as stated, yesterday.
   Mr Holme was descended from the old Holme family of Maghulll, lords of the manor in Ormskirk and its neighbourhood. The property was held through Elizabeth - daughter of Sir William Molyneux, Knight and relict of William Blundell of Ince Blundell, whom she married in 1536 - wife of Edmund Holme. Ranell Holme, the herald of Tranmere, was of the same family. Mr Holme was a nephew of Samuel and James Holme, brothers, who were Mayors of Liverpool in 1852-3 and 1857-8, and a son of Arthur Hill Holme, of Brownlow Street in this city where he was born in 1841. He was educated at the Royal Institution, Colquitt Street, subsequently at a private school in Chester, and also under the late Donald Cameron. His education finished, he entered his father's office, afterwards working at the bench at Messrs. Jones and Jump's, Pleasant Street. He afterwards saw a great deal of life. For three years he was engaged in railway surveying and prospecting, and then he passed on to try his luck on
the goldfields in Victoria, Australia. Retracing his steps homewards, he entered the establishment of the late Mr James Holme, and was engaged with him in constructing the Garston and Liverpool Railway. For seven years afterwards he was associated with the late Colonel Thomson, who was Mayor of Liverpool in 1875. He then settled down permanently in Liverpool, marrying the daughter of Mr R Smith, St Cloud, Worcester. He became a member of the firm of Dransfield and Holme, and took large contracts for the construction of railways, notable among which were the Swinton and Knottingley Railway in Yorkshire, the widening of the Blackwell (London) Railway, the enlargement of Euston Station, the Standish (Lancashire) Railway, the Saxby and Bourn (Rutland),the Kenilworth and Berkwell (Warwick), and other undertakings of that kind. When some of these big jobs were on, the firm had as many as 2,000 men engaged at a time.
    Mr. Holme was an associate of the Institute of Civil Engineers; he became a magistrate for the city in 1889; was chairman of the Liverpool Electric Supply Co. Ltd.  He was also a trustee of the Bluecoat Hospital, and a member of the Caledonian Society. He was at one time president of the Liverpool Sunday Society and was keen advocate for the opening of museums, etc to the public on Sundays. He was a member of the Whitehall and Constitutional Clubs, London; of the Conservative and Palatine Clubs, and of the Athenaeum, Liverpool. The deceased gentleman entered the Volunteer Force in 1868, as ensign in the 1st Lancashire Rifles (subsequently the King's Liverpool Regiment), in which he became successively lieutenant, captain, and major. He retired in 1889 with the rank of lieutenant colonel.
  His vigorous Conservatism was well known. In 1884 he stood as candidate for St Peter's ward, when he was defeated by Sir W B Bowring. In 1885 he again contested the ward against Mr John Stevenson, and was returned by eight votes. He was re-elected without opposition in 1888, but sustained defeat in 1891 at the hands of Mr George Grierson. In the following year, 1892, he was again defeated by Alderman Watts for the same ward.
   He always took a keen interest in the affairs of the city, utilising his experience and special knowledge for the benefit of his fellow-citizens. He was a severe critic, and did not hesitate to launch out strong opinions, when the proposals of friends or political foes did not commend themselves to his judgement. In the various stages of the gigantic Vyrnwy undertaking, now completed, he was a force to reckon with, and was not easily put down when he had matured opinions to advance. He was always listened to with great respect, for everyone knew and respected alike his honesty and his skill. He was always for economy and retrenchment in the management of public affairs, whether regarding the municipality or the Dock Board trust.
  There is good reason to believe - and the deceased always maintained this view - that the family sprang from Ranulf de Houlme, who at the close of the eleventh century possessed the manor of Houlme or Hulme, near Manchester, probably a cadet of the Norman family Du Homme, or Du Huome, or Du Houlme. Several persons of the name later on held land under the Honor of Halton, near Runcorn, spreading from the Manchester centre to Stockport, Alderley, Hulm-Walfield, Church-Hulme, and Davy or Darcy Hulme to Cuerdley, in Widnes. In the reign of Edward III, one branch was settled at Maghull, in the West Derby Hundred. As appears from the Harleian collection, Richard de Hulme was at that time associated with Thomas de la More in the government of Liverpool. Retaining the lordship of their manors and lands, the Holmes became allied with the best families in their neighbourhood - the Hallsalls, Molyneux, Lathoms, Maghulls. As they held their estates by feudal service direct
from the Kings and Queens, they were compelled to furnish their contingent to all wars. Custom, however,exacted their following some selected leader, such as the Earls of Derby or Sefton, hence a few names of individual knights or squires were recorded. It appears, however, that Edward Holme, in the exciting times of the Armada, furnished with the Blundells and other squires of degree "light horse and other men". The name of Edmond Holme is on the burgess roll of Liverpool, and in 1700 another member of their family appears as a freeman. Among their offspring some became soldiers - one Holme was at Culloden, and another at Bunker Hill. "Sam Holme" who was Mayor in 1852-3, dying in 1872, was renowned for his oratorical powers, for his fine physique, and resonant voice. He had great sympathy with the working classes, and was proud to call himself a tradesman. His year of office is described in the chronicles of the time as a most successful one.
  The funeral takes place on Friday.