Hall, Olive Willey

Olive Willey Hall – First College Graduate, Teacher (1843 – 1919); Baker University

In Brief:

Although the early settlers of Kansas Territory valued education and made it available to both sexes at all levels, few women enrolled in college. Olive Willey Hall’s accomplishment as the first female college graduate in the state of Kansas in 1866 is remarkable. Three years later she received her master’s degree, another unique success for a woman.

Olive Willey was born in Paris, Indiana in June 1843, the daughter of Reverend Dennis and Lydia Patterson Willey. She and her family came to KS in 1860 settling near Baldwin. In 1866 Olive Willey was the only female in Baker University’s original graduating class. She married fellow BU ’66 classmate James C. Hall in 1867.In 1869, Olive received her master’s degree from Baker University.

She pursued a career in education, teaching in Pleasant Hill Missouri public schools from 1867 to 1870. From 1871-73, Olive was the chair of Latin and Greek languages at Lewis College in Glascow, Missouri while her husband was the president of the school.

In 1872, James Hall became a minister in the Missouri Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Olive began assisting James with his ministry and continued throughout their marriage. Her assistance increased greatly after he sustained a serious injury in 1883, was hospitalized, and had subsequent physical limitations.

Olive Willey Hall was remembered as a strong, beloved, self-sacrificing, and devoted woman. She continues to be remembered today as the first female graduate of the first graduating class at Baker University. Olive’s great-great-great niece graduated from Baker in 2001; thus, continuing Olive’s legacy.

More Information:

Although the early settlers of Kansas Territory valued education and made it available to both sexes at all levels, few women enrolled in college. Olive Willey Hall’s accomplishment as the first female college graduate in the state of Kansas in 1866 is remarkable. 

Olive Willey was born in Paris, Indiana in June 1843, the daughter of Reverend Dennis and Lydia Patterson Willey.[1]  She and her family came to Kansas in 1860 settling near Baldwin, where she later attended Baker University. In 1866 Olive Willey was the only female in Baker’s original graduating class. She married fellow BU ’66 classmate James C. Hall in 1867.  In 1869, Olive received her master’s degree from Baker University, another unique success for a woman. [2]  

She pursued a career in education, teaching in Pleasant Hill, Missouri public schools from 1867 to 1870. From 1871-73, Olive was the chair of Latin and Greek languages at Lewis College in Glascow, Missouri while her husband was the president of the school. [3]

In 1872, James Hall became a minister in the Missouri Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. [4] Olive began assisting James with his ministry and continued throughout their marriage.  Her assistance increased greatly after he sustained a serious injury in 1883, was hospitalized, and had subsequent physical limitations.[5]

In 1884 Olive and James returned to Kansas when he was appointed as the minister of a church at Great Bend.[6]  The couple moved to multiple locations in Kansas as James’s church assignments changed.[7] 

Olive was extremely involved in Baker’s alumni network and returned to speak at events such as Alumni Day.  She often told of her experiences during the early days of BU.[8]  James passed away in 1914. Olive passed away on Aug. 2, 1919, at home of her daughter in Kansas City, Missouri.  The couple rest beside their daughter, Olive, who passed away at age 17.[9]  

Olive Willey Hall was remembered as a strong, beloved, self-sacrificing, and devoted woman.  She continues to be remembered today as the first female graduate of the first graduating class at Baker University.  Olive’s great-great-great niece graduated from Baker in 2001; thus, continuing Olive’s legacy.[10]

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• [1] findagrave.com/memorial/26488244/olive_keziah-hall
• [2] The Baldwin Ledger (Baldwin, Kansas) · Fri, Aug 8, 1919. 
• [3] Ibid.
• [4] Butler County Democrat (El Dorado, Kansas) · Thu, Sep 13, 1888.
• [5] The Lyons Republican (Lyons, Kansas) · Fri, Aug 8, 1919.
• [6] Butler County Democrat (El Dorado, Kansas) · Thu, Sep 13, 1888.
• [7] The Baldwin Ledger (Baldwin, Kansas) · Fri, Aug 8, 1919.
• [8] The Topeka Daily Capital (Topeka, Kansas) · Mon, Jun 21, 1909.
• [9] The Baldwin Ledger (Baldwin, Kansas) · Fri, Aug 8, 1919.
• [10] The Iola Register (Iola, Kansas) · Sat, May 19, 2001.

By Delainey Barcus, BU 2027 and M. Jardon; May 2026