This biography appears on pages 1129-1130 in "History of South Dakota” by Doane Robinson, Vol. II (1904)

ELIAS MONSON, ex-register of deeds of Roberts county and now
president of and abstracter for the Roberts County Abstract and Title
Company, is a native of Dodge county, Minnesota, and the son of Ole and
Bertha (Kuntson) Monson, both parents born and reared in Norway. Ole
Monson and wife came to the United States a number of years ago and were
among the earliest settlers of Dodge county, Minnesota, locating there
when the county was on the very outskirts of civilization. After a long
residence in that state, they removed to near Grand Forks, North Dakota,
where the father's death occurred in 1900, and the mother's two years
previously. Ole Monson, a farmer by occupation, was a man of
intelligence and sound judgment and was a most excellent and
praiseworthy citizen. He was always deeply interested in the public
affairs of the communities in which he lived, took an active part in
politics and for years was one of the Republican leaders of Dodge
county, Minnesota. Although of foreign birth and ever retaining a warm
feeling for his native country, he became devotedly attached to the
country of his adoption and was an ardent admirer and loyal upholder of
the free institutions under which so many years of his life were spent
and so much of his success achieved.

Elias Monson was born on July 4, 1864, spent his childhood and
youth in his native county and state and after acquiring an elementary
education in the public schools completed an academic and business
course in an academy at Portland, North Dakota. On quitting the academy
he went to North Dakota in 1888 with the family, and after farming two
years in Grand Forks county, changed his residence to the county of
Roberts, where, in 1892, he took up a fine claim, which he at once
proceeded to improve. He continued to reside on his place and promote
its development until the fall of 1898, when he was elected, on the
Republican ticket, register of deeds for Roberts county, the duties of
which office he discharged for two terms having been chosen his own
successor in the year 1900. As a public official Mr. Monson demonstrated
fine business capacity and became quite popular with the people. At the
expiration of his second term he was prevailed upon by his successor to
continue in charge of the office as deputy, being familiar with its
varied duties and far better qualified to discharge the same than any
other individual.

Mr. Monson is now identified with the Roberts County Abstract &
Title Company, of which he is president, and also owns an interest in a
hotel at White Rock. He gives his influence and encouragement to all
enterprises having for their object the material advancement of the
community, being also a friend of education, religion and other
civilizing agencies without which no commonwealth can truly prosper. He
belongs to the Improved Order of Red Men and Court of Honor at Sisseton,
is a zealous worker in both organizations and at various times has been
honored with responsible official positions by his fellow members.

Mr. Monson's domestic history dates from 1895, on December 10th of
which year was solemnized his marriage with Miss Carrie Stadstad, of
Douglas county, Minnesota, a most excellent and amiable lady who has
presented him with two children, Beatrice and Arthur A.