Among the earliest Norwegian immigrants to the Seattle area, Ole Schillestad and his wife Regina arrived in the United States from Bergen, Norway, around 1875, settling initially in Illinois. They arrived in Seattle with three children, sons Frank W. and Alfred M., and a daughter, Sophie (a fourth child, William, died in Illinois). In 1876, Ole Schillestad began constructing a building on Front Street in Belltown. City directories through 1886 list 1909 Front Street as Ole and Regina Schillestad's residence. Trained in Norway as a cabinetmaker, Ole opened an undertaking business with a partner, Theodore Coulter. The two men operated a factory on Mill Street (now Yesler Way) opposite Henry Yesler's sawmill, advertising as "Coulter & Shillistad [sic], Undertakers, Upholsterers and Furniture Manufactures." Schillestad kept the business going after Theodore Coulter's death 1880, until he retired from the undertaking business in 1888. Being an experienced carpenter, Schillestad built his home himself, as well as the home of in-laws John and Anna Brygger across Salmon Bay on the north shore.

Printed on verso: W. Handsome, Photographer, No.147, Chicago Avenue, Chicago, Ill.
Handwritten on verso: Ole Schillestad, Chicago, before 1875. Property of Mrs. Charles Kaysner Schillestad, Bothell.