A successful businessman of Higher Broughton, near Manchester and a prominent figure in Wesleyan Methodism, he established the cotton-spinning firm which in 1872 became William Holland and Sons. He played a prominent part in the Fine Cotton Spinners and Doublers Association, the Textile Institute, the Machinery Users Association and the Manchester Chamber of Commerce.
His son, William Henry Holland (1849-1927), was Liberal MP for Rotherham 1892-95 and 1898-1910 and became the 1st Baron Rotherham of Broughton in 1910. Towards the end of his life he followed his wife into the Roman Catholic Church.