Journalism is a profession that has never been overcrowded--perhaps the only one-and we do not have to go far for an explanation.

 The journalist is born, the same as the poet, although, of course, not so favored of the gods, except in rare instances. The average newspaper man or publisher seems little different, if any, from the average man in any other walk of life, and yet there is a difference. Few men are gifted with the peculiar attributes that go to make up the successful editor or publisher, and unless Mother Nature has stamped her inscrutable approval on one he might as well never begin. Training and experience count for a great deal, it is true, but they count for nothing unless the capacity is there to begin with. Seward S. Watson, well-known editor and publisher of The Winchester Herald, is a typical newspaper man, both by nature and training, and he has therefore succeeded at his chosen vocation.

Mr. Watson was born in Winchester, Randolph county, January 29, 1857. He is a son of Enos L. and Mary (Judd) Watson, a prominent pioneer family of this locality.

Mr. Watson grew to manhood in his native city and here received a public school education, which has been greatly supplemented in later years by wide borne reading and study and by actual contact with the world. As a lad he learned the printer's trade. Desiring to forge to the front in the field of journalism he assiduously applied himself to learning the ins and outs of every department, and he has filled every position in a country newspaper office, from "devil" to managing editor. In due course of time he became part owner of the paper mentioned above, and for a period of twenty-six years was associated with different individuals in its publication. In 1901 he became sole owner of The Herald, and has since conducted the same alone, making it one of the brightest newest and most influential papers of its type in the state. It is up-to-date in every respect in its mechanical appearance and method of handling news, and it has become a valuable advertising medium. It has a wide and constantly growing circulation and has ever been a most potent factor in the molding of local public opinion, especially as an organ of the Republican party, Mr. Watsonhaving always been a staunch defender of its principles.

Mr. Watson is the present efficient and popular postmaster of the city of Winchester, having been appointed to this position in February, 1907, by President Roosevelt. At the expiration of his term of four years he was again appointed to the office by President Taft for another term of four years. He is discharging the duties of the office in a manner that has reflected much credit upon himself and to the eminent satisfaction of the people and the department.

Mr. Watson was married in November, 1880, to Nancy E. Deardoff, a daughter of Lafayette and Nancy (Rush) Deardoff, and to this union six children have been born, namely: Edith D. is the eldest; Mary Alice is now the wife of Charles R. Anderson, of Dodge City, Kansas;Amelia B. W., Margaret Jane, John Enos and Ralph Engle. John Enos has had charge of The Herald since the appointment of his father to the postmastership.

Mr. Watson is a member of the Masonic Order, the Improved Order of Red Men, and the Knights of Pythias.

Enos L. Watson, father of our subject, died in Winchester in December, 1910. His widow survives at the advanced age of eighty-three years. Our subject is a brother of Hon. James F. Watson, of Rushville, Indiana, one of Indiana's leading politicians of the present generation.

Past and Present of Randolph County, Indiana, 1914.
Contributed by Gina Richardson