When I became a JW in 1971 , just as the Elder arrangement was formed.
The men who became Elders were guys in their late 50's to 70's. They had been JW's for most of their lives. They had a bit of "common sense" about them. Even with the 1975 thing, they were very controlled over it. There was no rhetoric about Armageddon etc coming 1975. They had a totally balanced view of it all. Consequently when 1975 had past, the congregation didn't lose anyone in fact increased.
In the years these guys were "in charge" I only knew of one disfellowshipping. They were the kind of guys who would come to you and have a chat find out what was wrong and help.
Then they started to die off, all within a few years in the 1980's. Younger ones replaced them, brothers in their 30's 40's. But they were a different breed. They were "Watchtower men".
Through the time when I and my family needed help and support all they could think about was following WT procedure. They in their Watchtower mind thought they were "helping". But eventually what they did was open my eyes to the real WT set me on the road to leaving. Also cause the break up of my family, eventually leading to three people DA from the WT.
I've met a lot of Elders who have highly responsible secular jobs, their not all caretakers or window cleaners.
But they do seem to lose their minds when in Elder mode.