Prominently identified with the jewelry business with which he has been actively associated for a number of years, George Henry Holmes occupies a place of importance in the manufacturing circles of Providence. He is a son of William H. and Harriet (Handy) Holmes, and was born in Providence, June 13, 1858. He attended the local schools and Bryant & Stratton's Business College. While still a youth he entered upon his business career, securing a position in the office of Samuel Slater & Sons, of Providence. He later became bookkeeper for Brown & Monroe, wholesale fruit dealers. In 1883 he became associated with Henry T. Smith, and together they established a jewelry manufacturing business under the style of Smith & Homes. This partnership was dissolved in 1884, and was succeeded by that of George H. Holmes and Company, which in 1904, became the George H. Holmes Company, Inc., Mr. Holmes being president and treasurer. The firm makes a specialty of manufacturing a general line of gold-plated jewelry, their plant being located at No. 185 Eddy street. Mr. Holmes is a former president and now a director of the New England Manufacturing Jewelers' and Silversmiths' Association, and is president of the Free Masons' Hall Corporation. In the Masonic order he has been very active and has attained the highest rank, holding the coveted thirty-third degree of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite. He is a member of the Adelphoi Lodge, No. 33, Free and Accepted Masons, of which he has served as master; Providence Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Rhode Island Council, Royal and Select Masters; St. John's Commandery, Knights Templar; Rhode Island Consistory, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite; and Palestine Temple, Ancient Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. In 1911 the honorary thirty-third degree was conferred upon him. In 1916 he was made an active member of the Supreme Council, and in 1918 was made deputy of Rhode Island.

Mr. Holmes is a member and vestryman in All Saints' Episcopal Church. His club associations are the Squantum, Turk's Head, Hope, and Wannamoisett Country, and he is a member of the Society of Colonial Wars. In politics he is a Republican, and served in 1909 and 1910 in the House of Representatives from Providence. He became a member of the State Harbor Improvement Commission from its inception, and served six years, until consolidated with the State Harbor Commission. On October 1, 1917, he was appointed fuel administrator of Rhode Island, by Dr. H. A. Garfield, and served until June, 1918, when he resigned.

Mr. Holmes married, October 17, 1881, Abby Howard White, only child of Stillman and Lydia (Worsley) White, a sketch of whom follows. Mr. and Mrs. Holmes are the parents of two children: Stillman Howard, born Nov. 17, 1888, died June 12, 1889; Ruth Weston, who became the wife of James Taylor Wilson, of Providence.