Excerpt of the book "Writer and Engraver's Picture of Graham County's Progress Since Its Organization" (1906)

Olive M. Kackley

(pages 13-14)

In no century previous to the one just past have woman made such rapid progress, and in no county, but ours, have the uncrowned queens wielded the scepter with such discriminating ability. Woman’s field of labor is no longer limited to household duties but she is found in all lines of business and in all professions, and Hill City has her full quota of these modern business women, among whom is Olive M. Kackley, the present Register of deeds.

She was born in Blue Springs, Nebraska, July 11, 1881, moved to Requblic county, with her parents and later to Densmore, where in 1886 her mother died.

In 1889 Mr. Kackley remarried and brought his wife and two children Olive and Kenneth to Hill City.

Miss Kackley was always fond of dramatic work, and has engaed in numerous contests, the first being the Demorest contest when she was 12 years of age. She won in this and many other contests, and through all of her busy life, she has given much time and attention to elocution.

Miss Kackley is an elocutionists, a musician, holds a first grade teachers certificate, has acted as postoffice clerk and saleslady, has given recitals and taught music and oratory, and was at the time of her election Graham county’s youngest official, being but 21 years of age.

She has served two terms as Register of Deeds being elected the second time by the largest majority received by any candidate in the county, showing that she gave perfect satisfaction while in office.

The office is kept in most perfect order. Deeds are always filed upon presentation and immediately recorded and nothing lays in the offices.

Miss Kackley has always made her own way and depends entirely upon her own resources.

She is a good business manager and owns three quarter sections of land all improved and valued at $5,800.00.

In addition to her savings invested in lands, she has made several trips to points of interest in the United States.

But her life work is dramatic work and she is ambitious to perfect herself in this art, anticipating, at present, a years trip through Europe, visiting dramatic centers, and making a study of the work, and later returning to take a course in some of the leading American schools of oratory.

As an elocutionist, Miss Kackley has done considerable work among the people and is quite a favorite. She has helped all church and charitable institutions in the county, and has furnished several school houses with organs, libraries and book cases by her own entertainments.

These are some of her press notices: “Miss Kackley is a master in impersonation and her declaiming was cheered to and echo each time she appeared.”

“Miss Kackley of Hill City gave several readings and impersonations which not only delighted all, but impressed her hearers with her ability as an elocutionist.