(1833-1913)

G.F. Von Salzar

Loan Courtesy of the Western Reserve Historical Society

Liberty Holden was a man of enormous energy and range of interests, which included his ownership of Cleveland’s Plain Dealer newspaper. Born in Maine, Holden began teaching at the age of 16, and was educated at Waterville College and the University of Michigan. Moving to Cleveland in 1862 he studied law and invested in real estate. In 1873 he started investing in mining properties, iron in the Lake Superior region, silver in Utah.

Soon after purchasing the Plain Dealer he launched the morning edition of the paper after buying out The Herald. As Chair of the Building Committee for the Cleveland Museum of Art he was largely responsible for construction of the building in Wade Oval. Holden served as President of the Union Club and Mayor of Bratenahl. Holden’s son Albert established the Holden Arboretum in memory of his deceased daughter Elizabeth David Holden.