Alexander McBride was born in Poland Township, Trumbull County, Ohio on Jan 12, 1822. He received his education in the local schools and went on to work in a woolen mill eventually becoming a partner. He was known to often purchased books with his earnings to further his education. He eventually sold his interest in the woolen mill, and taught school for a time. He went on to study medicine in Akron, graduating from the old Cleveland Medical College of the Western Reserve College in Hudson in 1845. Doctor McBride started his initial practice in Sullivan, Ohio and removed to Berea in 1847 where he became the first resident MD in Berea. The first area physician was Dr. William Knowlton in 1838 who was residing in Olmsted Falls.
Alex married Emma Henry in Berea on January 1, 1849. Daughter Agnes McBride was born in Berea in 1854, and Lucy was born in 1859. There is question of another infant (Mary) that may have been the first born and did not survive. In the 1860 census the McBride family had a young 26-year-old clerk James Parker living with them. With the advent of the Civil War, Alex volunteered for service in 1861 and enlisted as a commissioned officer in Company S of the Ohio 40th Infantry Regiment on Sep 7, 1861 serving as a surgeon and mustered out on Apr 1, 1862. Dr. McBride then enlisted in Company S of the Ohio 88th Infantry Regiment on Jun 26, 1862, and was mustered out on Sep 26, 1862 at Camp Chase, Ohio. After his service, Dr. McBride resumed his practice in Berea, and in 1867 he served a term as mayor.
?Dr. McBride continued to gain knowledge throughout his career and wrote several medical articles. Many were based on his own theories that at times brought criticism among the medical population. He was evidently not afraid to express his opinion, theories or ideas on any subject. He also developed new forceps for obstetrical use that were widely accepted. It was noted in his obituary that