It was to these lands that Griffin Tipsword came in 1813, acknowledged as one of the earliest settlers in this part of the territory. His family name had been Sowards, and it is told in the Tipsword family that his wife, Ruth, was Indian. The Tipsword family immediately packed up their belongings and headed north, settling along the Wabash River in what would become Effingham County. During his time living among the Indians, Griffin learned many things … their dialect, dances and superstitions. We will never know what role, if any, Griffin Tipsword had in this final outcome.