Elias Johnson Lien, State Librarian 1911-1921

Elias Lien was the first State Librarian to have a law degree

Elias Johnson Lien was born in Delavan, Minnesota on November 14, 1868. His parents were Johannes J. Lein and Segre O. Lein who were both born in Norway. The family lived on a farm, and Elias was one of ten children. Some records list the last name as Lein, others as Lien, but Lien seems to be the spelling more frequently used.

After he was done with grade school, he attended and graduated from Normal School in Mankato, where he trained to be a teacher. He travelled around the state for a while, and eventually moved to St. Vincent, Minnesota. He taught public school for several years and tried farming and other occupations. Previous State Librarian, Emil A. Nelson also lived in the remote county of Kittson, so it's likely they knew each other.

Elias Lien married Lestlie Electa Mason on June 19, 1900 in St. Vincent, Minnesota.

In 1904, Nelson hired Lien as assistant librarian, during the term of governor Van Sant. Lien attended the University of Minnesota Law School while working as assistant librarian. He graduated in 1907 with an LL.B and joined the bar. He received an LL.M degree the next year.

He stayed on as assistant librarian during the term of John E. King and the justices of the Supreme Court found him indispensable. When the position of State Librarian opened up again in 1910, they asked the governor to appoint Lien. Governor Eberhart appointed Elias Lien in January 1911. He served in that position until January 1921, being re-appointed every four years.

In the early days of the American Association of Law Libraries, Lien was president from 1914-1916. In addition to his library work, he was a founding faculty member of the Minnesota College of Law in 1913 and taught there for a few years, at least through 1915. He was a member of the Minnesota State Bar Association and acted as Librarian for the Association in 1916. 

After leaving the library in January 1921, he worked as an attorney in St. Paul.

Lien and his wife adopted two children, Elmer Julien Lien born in 1909 and Marjorie Eleanor Lien born in 1917.

Elias Johnson Lien died Feb 10, 1932 in the Ancker Hospital in St. Paul.