Elias Riggs Monfort (March 2, 1842 – July 29, 1920) was a Union Civil War officer, attorney, the postmaster for Cincinnati, Ohio, and Commander-in-Chief of the Grand Army of the Republic from 1915 to 1916.

He participated in 20 engagements, among which were the following: Phillipi, Laurel Hill, Carrick's Ford, Monterey, Shaw's Ridge, McDowell, Franklin, Strausburg, Cross Keys, Cedar Mountain, Freeman's Ford, Waterloo Bridge, Sulfur Springs, Second Bull Run, Chantilly, Chancellorsville, Fredericksburg, and Gettysburg.

In the last battle, he was dangerously wounded, July 2, 1863, which made it necessary for him to submit to repeated surgical operations, the last occurring in June 1911.

Was at Battles of Carricks Ford, McDowell, Cross Keys, Cedar Mountain, 2nd Bull Run, Chancellorsville, Fredericksburg, and Gettysburg.

J. F. Head, Surgeon US Army R Jones, Major and Asst Inspr Genl USA A J Slemmer, Brig Genl US Vols On July 5, 1863, Issac Watts Monfort, acting as Military Agent of the State of Indiana found his nephew Elias Riggs Monfort at the Lightner Farmhouse.

Attention was called to his case by myself and at my request several consultations were held by the surgeon in all instance upon the wounded there as to the prospects of recovery.

At my earnest solicitation it was concluded to accept the equal chance for recovery and not amputate... By July 9, Issac felt comfortable enough to send a telegram to his brother Joseph Glass Monfort to come to Gettysburg to see his wounded son.

Having decided upon a legal career, he then entered the Cincinnati Law School, from which he graduated in 1867 and was admitted to the bar.

Returning to Cincinnati to make his home, he later entered the service of The Herald and Presbyter, of which he rose to the position of editor in 1875 and continued as such for 20 years.

In 1896, Monfort was elected clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of Hamilton County, Ohio and served one term.

He was a life member of the National Association of the Postmasters of the First Class and of the Ohio State Historical Society.

In 1915, he was elected Commander-in-Chief of the GAR at the National Encampment at Washington, D.C.[5] He had refused the position three times on account of obligation to public service.