Alexander B. Brownlee, son of John and Lettie Brownlee, was born in Struthers, Mahoning County, Ohio, November 2, 1843.  He was educated in the common schools of Poland (walking sometimes a distance of five miles), and at the Poland academy.  In May, 1863, he enlisted in the Eighty-eighth Ohio volunteer infantry, and was in Virginia and Kentucky with his regiment, serving until November 1863, when he was mustered out.  Returning to Youngstown he entered the employ of Arms, Powers & Co., remaining until 1868.   In the fall of that year, having in the meantime had charge of a store in Missouri for J. H. Brown & Co., he engaged in business for himself in Youngstown under the firm name of Odbert & Brownlee, continuing until 1873, when they closed up.  He was afterwards the junior member of the firm of Powers & Brownlee, engaged in shipping coal.  With Mr. Odbert he became a member of the firm in 1878, purchased the interest of Powers in 1879.  In 1880 James Wick was admitted to the firm, now A. B. Brownlee & Co.  This firm do(es) an extensive business in flour, feed, and agricultural implements, and also in coal, lime, and cement, aggregating a business of $150,000 per annum.  Mr. Brownlee has been twice married, first in 1872 to Mary D. Fowler, who died in 1876.  In the fall of 1877 he married Henrietta, daughter of E. G. Hollingsworth, of Youngstown, by whom he has had two children who died in infancy.

History of Trumbull and Mahoning Counties, Ohio.  Cleveland H. Z. Williams & Brothers, 1882.