Born in Vaslui, he graduated in 1889 from the School of Cavalry Officers, advancing in 1898 to the rank of captain.

In October 1916, after Romania entered World War I on the side of the Allies, he took command of the 9th and 19th Divisions of the Romanian Army.

On April 20, 1919, he marched into Oradea, together with General Traian Moșoiu (the commander of the Romanian Army Group North) and Colonel Dumitru Sachelarie [ro].

[3] In July 1919, the forces under his command were covering a front line of some 150 km (93 mi); in the first echelon, there was the 18th Infantry Division of General Dănilă Papp, and in the second echelon, the 1st Vânători Division of General Aristide Lecca [ro].

[4] On August 4, 1919, when the Romanian troops under the overall command of General Gheorghe Mărdărescu entered Budapest, Holban was appointed military governor of the city.