Ralph W. Monson, son of Peter S. and Florence (Barratt) Monson, was born on March 30, 1912, at Irwin. He graduated from Irwin High School in 1930.

Ralph and Lucille Joens were married on December 11, 1935, and made their home in Manning. They had four children: Duane, Gary, Lance, and Julie.

Duane married Janice Hagge of Westside. They have two children, Brett and Bruce, and have lived in Manning since 1957. Gary married Eileen Frahm of Manning. They and their two children, Todd and Teresa, now make their home in Audubon. Lance and his wife, the former Deborah Challinor of Des Moines, are living in Des Moines. Julie and her children, Keslie and Travis, and her husband, Douglas Coppernoll, live in Madison, Wisconsin.

In 1936 Ralph purchased an oil business from Albert Puck and operated a service station on the west edge of Manning as well as running a bulk wagon service for the surrounding area. He later sold the service station to Lester Clark and in 1960 moved his tank wagon business to the Champlain Station on Highway 141. In 1975 he sold the business to Lynn Stein when he was forced to retire due to failing health.

Ralph died January 18, 1980 and Lucille died on September 29, 1950, at the age of 35; she was a victim of the polio epidemic of that year. At that time her surviving children were 14, 10, 4 and 3 years of age. Ralph filled the role of both father and mother and raised his family. He died on January 18, 1980, after a four and one-half year bout with kidney failure.