JOHN J. BRANNEN, Youngstown, Ohio.
John J. Brannen was born March 4, 1859, in Lockport, New York, to which place his father removed from Ireland in 1847. He attended the village school until he was 16 years of age when he began work for his father as a driver. In June, 1873, he secured a position as fireman on the Erie, and for the ensuing six years worked in that capacity, establishing a record for himself in point of efficiency and close attention to work. In September, 1879, he was promoted to engineer, and for fourteen years ran in through freight service. For the past five years he has run a mixed train of passenger and freight on the Mahoning Division.

In 1897 while running a mixed train between Youngstown and New Castle the driving rod on left side of engine broke, tearing the cab to pieces in its wild slashing, and injuring the fireman, Mr. Brannen escaping unhurt. He is a faithful, conservative engineer, which, coupled with his natural ability, has won him a high place in the estimation of his superiors, having never been reprimanded during his twenty-five years of service.

In March, 1887, he was married to Miss Bessie Bailey, of Sharon, Pennsylvania, and they have two bright sons, both of whom are attending school. Mr. Brannen owns one of the finest residences in Youngstown, and is an influential citizen who is respected by all. He is a member of Friendship Lodge, No. 329, B. of L. E., in which he holds the office of Second Engineer.

Excerpted from: "American Locomotive Engineers, Erie Railway Edition," H.R. Romans Editor; Crawford-Adsit Company Publishers, Chicago, IL 1899.

From the May, 1919 issue of Erie Railroad Magazine:
J.J. Brannon noticed a car on the storage track at Warren that was not safely in the clear. He promptly notified the train dispatcher, and all trains in the vicinity were notified. The car was finally switched to a safe distance.

From the October, 1923 issue of Erie Railroad Magazine:
Engineer J.J. Brannon of the Mahoning Division wrote a paper for the International Railway Fuel Association putting forth his ideas for saving fuel in the operation of locomotives. The paper was published in Erie Magazine.

From the March, 1933 issue of Erie Railroad Magazine:
Five engineers who worked on the Erie a total of 270 years and eleven months have been retired on special allowance. They are John J. Brannen, Frank M. Dean, Willis E. Luce. Curtis L. Will and Joseph Gerlach, all from the Mahoning Division.

A remarkable record for safe operation is held by Mr. Brannen, who was born at Lockport, NY, March 4, 1857, and began as a fireman on the Erie in 1873 and was promoted to engineer in 1880. Mr. Brannen retires after 60 years clear record and no personal injuries. For many years he was at athe throttle of the Lake Cities Express, trains 5 and 6, between Cleveland and Youngstown. Before that he ran a mixed train of passengers and freight on the Ferrona branch between Sharon and New Castle.

From the March, 1940 issue of Erie Railroad Magazine:
John J. Brannen, 83, retired passenger engineer of 60 years service, died late in January (1940) at his home, 804 Ford Ave., Youngstown. He was a native of Lockport, NY. He was a member of the B of LE and was Chief Engineer of Div. 329 of Youngstown. For many years he was at the throttle of the Lake Cities Express. He is survived by his widow and two sons, Frank J. of Cleveland, and George S., of Youngstown.
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