J. R. ECHELBARGER, M.D., a well-established physician in active practice at Fletcher, Ohio, was born near Jerry City, Wood County, Ohio, October 12, 1874, and is a son of John P. and Sarah Jane (Frederick) Echelbarger. The parents of Dr. Echelbarger were prominent farming people in Wood County for many years and the mother still occupies the old homestead. The father was a highly respected citizen near Jerry City and the family received general sympathy when he was killed by a stroke of lightning on May 29, 1908. The family consists of six sons and two daughters, all of whom survive.

Dr. Echelbarger attended school in Wood County until he was eighteen years of age, after which he engaged there in teaching school for ten years, in the meanwhile completing his own education at the Ohio Normal University at Ada, where he was graduated in the literary course in 1897. He was also at times a student at Lebanon, Ohio, and Valparaiso, and while preparing for his medical course engaged in an insurance business and had other interests prior to entering Starling Medical College, where he was graduated in 1906. He located first at Jeffersonville, Ohio, where he practiced for five months and came to Fletcher on December 10, 1906 where he divides the practice with Dr. Kiser. He is identified with medical organizations and keeps fully abreast of the times in the progress made by his science. Dr. Echelbarger was married to Miss Rae Bennett, of Noble County, Ohio, and they have one daughter, Pauline. In politics he is a Democrat. Fraternally he belongs to the Odd Fellows and the Junior Order of American Mechanics.

Mr. & Mrs. J. R. Echelbarger

according to Brian J. Butler, Oct 17, 2009: this photo is circa 1955. Brian is great grandson. He says his great grandfather moved from Fletcher to Ottawa in the early 1920's.  He died in 1958,  Emaa Rae died in 1972.