ELIJAH JAMES TIPTON of the firm of Tipton & Robison general merchants was born in Coshocton County Ohio, August 19, 1842. He was reared a farmer being educated in the common district school. He worked with his father until 1861 when he left for the army. He joined the Eighty Seventh Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry which was consolidated with the One Hundred and Twenty Fifth Colonel Opdyke commanding. He was in many hard fought battles among which were Lookout Mountain, Chickamauga, Knoxville, Mission Ridge, Dalton, Kenesaw Mountain, Lovejoy, Franklin and Nashville, and many others of less note. In 1865 he had passed through some of the most severe engagements of the war and had been slightly wounded several times. He was mustered out at Camp Irwin at the close of the war and received an honorable discharge. Returning home in 1867, he came to Missouri and settled in DeKalb County. He opened a store at Winslow and not long after went to St Joseph when he became engaged in business with Mr Mclninch and since then he has been doing business with and for him. In 1878 he came to Denver where he has been enjoying a very large trade. After Mr. Robison built his large store they entered into business together moving into the new building. They are now in partnership with Mr. Mclninch of St Joseph. Mr. Tipton has been twice married. His first wife was Deborah Robison whom he married in 1866 in Licking County Ohio. She died in 1874 leaving two children; Lillie Bell born in 1867 and JA born in 1871. His second wife was Miss Julia Robison, sister of his former wife. They were united in marriage in Licking County Ohio in 1878. Mr T s father Absolom Tipton died in 1874. His mother was formerly Rachel Harrod daughter of Live Harrod who was the first settler in Knox County Ohio having located in Mt. Vernon. He entered 600 acres of land and his family are among the prominent ones of the county and state. Mrs. Tipton's father was John Robison and her mother's maiden name was Rachel Gardner. Rev. George Gardner, a brother was ordained an elder in the first ME Conference ever held in Ohio and is now ninety six years old. Mr. Tipton is a Republican in politics and belongs to the ME Church. He is a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellow fraternities Among the many persons who are mentioned in this work none have done better or preserved a better name than E. J. Tipton. Commencing poor he has by industry made a start in business and is now one of the prominent merchants of the county. No firm are better qualified or better able to suit the people than Tipton & Robison. They are honorable and reliable in their dealings and have hosts of friends.
SOURCE: Page 811 of "The History of Gentry and Worth Counties, Missouri," publ. by St Joseph Mo National Historical Company 1882

Obituary in the 29 May 1919 editions of the Ledger and the Capital (Albany, Missouri).