Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-02-22
PROMINENT IN FRATERNITlES
Employed at Washington Navy Yard
for Over Fifty Years.
SERVED IN DISTRICT MILITIA
Received Commission as Lieutenant
From President Lincoln-Funeral
Services Sunday Afternoon.

John Wesley Thompson better known as
Uncle John" who for the past half CEN
tury had been employed at the Washington
navy yard died at 20 o'clock this morning
after brief attack of acute indigestion.
Mr. Thompson returned from his work yes
terday afternoon apparently in the best or
health. He was seventy-nine years old.
The funeral will take place Sunday after
noon at = o ciock from the residence. COG q
street southeast. Rev. Dr. Grey officiating.
Interment will be at Congressional ceme-
terry The services will be held under the
auspices of the Odd Fellows and the
knights of Pythias. of both of which or
CARNATIONS the deceased was member.
Mr. Thompson was born In this city at
the corner of eth and F streets and subse-
quently lived F street between 9th and
9TH streets northwest and learned the trade
of plasterer. Entering the laboratory OF
the navy yard. Washington. in 1859. he was
so assiduous In the discharge of his impor-
tant duty as a pyrotechnist that he had
continuous employment by the government
ever since. He was commissioned first
lieutenant of the District of Columbia
militia by President Abraham Lincoln in
1861. He was one of the commissioners OF
the fire department of Washington and its
president for five years. and he was also
member of the board of health He was also
the marshal of the Veteran Volunteer Fire
mems Association.
Became Odd Fellow in 1S49.
Mr.. Thompson was initiated into Odd Fell
lowship by Bay Side Lodge No &c. at st.
Mchael's Talbot county. Md, in February,
1910. and afterward became connected with
Harmony Lodge. No. ., of this city. He
passed the chair of Harmony Lodge and en-
tered the Grand Lodge in January 1866,
and after active participation in its affairs,
passing through the offices of grand war
den and deputy grand master. reached the
chair of grand master in July. 1872. Since
then he served frequently as chairman of
several of the important committees of the
Grand Lodge.
Mr.. Thompson was also a prominent
member of the Knights of Pythias. begin
ming as charter member of Calanthe
Lodge No. II, March. 1865. He advanced
step by step until he reached the distinc
ton of past grand chancellor He was
chosen supreme outer guard of the Supreme
Lodge in 1876, and continuously filed that
office for thirty years.
Became Member of I. O. M.
He early connected himself with Frank
lin Lodge, No, ., Independent Order of Me-
chanics, and passed through the chairs or
the lodge. He afterward withdrew from
Franklin Lodge and assisted in organizing
Capital Lodge. No. H. He was elected
treasurer of the lodge on its institution and
held that place until his death Entering
the Grand Lodge, Independent Order OF
Mechanics. he was elected grand treasurer
and was reelected to that position for sew
eral years. He was then elected grand
architect, and after the conclusion of his
term entered the Supreme Lodge l. O. NJ
in 1883. He served in the subordinate Of
fees of the Supreme Lodge, and at the ses-
sion in May, 1899 was unanimously elected
supreme ruler for the term of two years
In all the positions Mr.. Thompson occu-
pied he was most faithful AMI proved him
self man of fine executive ability He
was extremely popular in all the fraterni-
ties with which he was connected.