Born in Stavanger, Norway on September 18, 1869, R. B. (Retsius) Monson came to Barnes County in 1882 with his parents, Ole and Kirsten Monson. A combination home of logs, sod and lumber was R. B. Monson's first home north of Kathryn. He attended Daily School # 1, also the Lutheran Church services in the same building. With a deep love of music, he self-taught himself the violin.

R. B.'s first marriage to Olava Olson, was short lived as she died within a year. On May 29, 1897 he married Anne Wooland and they lived with his parents for two years. Here Reginald Alvin was born. Soon the Monsons homesteaded in Rosebud Township on "West Prairie" and the family grew. By 1908 a new home was needed for a family of five. In the new house a son and two more daughters were born.

A township supervisor, school board member, Sunday School superintendent and teacher, choir leader and a tireless worker with youth, R. B. made his share of contributions to the community. Anne, his faithful wife, passed away on December 12, 1942. A saddened R. B. spent his remaining days with a devoted daughter and son-in-law and passed away July 14, 1963, almost 94 years of age.

Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 161