From the July, 1908 issue of Erie Railroad Magazine (Hornell News):
John Brown, who had been in the Erie service for 17 years, most of the time as an engineer, died on June 17 (1908) after an illness of six months. He leaves a widow but no children. He was 40 years old and a man highly esteemed by all who knew him.

From the August, 1908 issue of the B of LE Railroad Engineers' Journal:
Brother John F. Brown of Division 47, Hornell, died June 17, 1908 of aortic insufficiency at age 40. He joined the Brotherhood on October 5, 1901 and held a Brotherhood insurance policy for $1,500, his wife, Alice Brown, the beneficiary.