S. J. Brownlee

S. J. Brownlee (November 14, 1926 – September 9, 2009) was an American politician.

S. J. Brownlee was born in Mallard, Iowa, on November 14, 1926, to parents Orlan J. and Flossie Brownlee. By the time his son turned eight, Orlan Brownlee moved his family to Emmetsburg, and later divested from his farm equipment business to run a farm of his own. S. J. Brownlee graduated from Emmetsburg High School in 1944 and delayed his college education to serve in the United States Navy during World War II.

Politically, Brownlee was affiliated with the Republican Party. He began his political career as a member of the Emmetsburg School Board for seven years, which included five as board president. Brownlee was elected to the Iowa Senate in 1968, serving District 45 until being redistricted to District 8 after two years in office. In 1981, Brownlee was elevated to president of the Board of Regents, and he served until stepping down from the body in 1985. Outside of statewide elected and appointed public office, Brownlee was a founding member of the Palo Alto County Hospital Foundation Board and a member of the ecclesiastical board for the First United Methodist Church in Emmetsburg. Brownlee died in Emmetsburg on September 9, 2009.