Gustav Martin Holm

Gustav Holm, known as Gust, was born March 1, 1867. He married Ellen Martina Kjeldseth the day before her 26th birthday, at Zion Lutheran Church in Volin, S. Dakota. They lived at the Holm homestead until 1915, when they moved to Camano Island, Washington, and later to East Stanwood, WA where they built a new home in 1926. In 1932 they moved again to Fir Island near Mt. Vernon WA where they lived the remainder of their lives. In Washington State, Gustav worked at Rocky Point, Camano Island, where he was as known as a boat builder for local fishermen. Gustav was a good carpenter and an avid fisherman and had enough money to live nicely. On occasion Gust comic strips for the Seattle Star, receiving $10 per strip. He was known for having a “Sweet Tooth” and always had a piece of candy for his company.

Ellen was the oldest daughter of Ole and Sarah Kjeldseth. The Kjeldseth family was considerably well off and she inherited their gift for acquiring money, enabling Gust to follow his talents of boat building and comic strip drawing. Gustav and Ellen had six children; Alfred Olaf (1890), Samuel August (1892), Gertie Elvina (1896), Olive (1899), Anton (1904) and Albin Sigurd (1906). (Source: Lori Dickman)