Hi Denise, thank you very much for the welcome! This is the information that I have about John Lee Thompson:

In the 1900 census in Erie Pa. I have found John L listed as black male born jan 1877 age 23, born in D.C. he was living with his mother and two sisters. Mother was fannie Thompson born july 1858 in Va. married for 27 years (H. Thompson, her husband is listed on the Pa. census, even though he was onboard the U.S.S. michigan at the time) The sisters were Hollie/mollie born july 1881 age 19 married with no children, born in D.C. the other sister's name was unreadable. but born dec. 1894 age 5.
*At this time her husband was aboard the U.S.S. Michigan (which we have the service pins for) he was on the 1900 census under the military and naval population, seaport detroit. He is listed as Henry C. Thompson from Erie Pa. address 448 west 2nd street. Black male born Aug. 1854. in virginia. age 45, married for 27 years.

In 1910 I found John L. thompson living in Hermiston Oregon. Male W. age 33 (which would of made his birth year aprox 1877) married (first time)for 12 years. He and his parents born in Virginia.

In 1920 Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California. John L. Thompson male W. age 42 born in Virginia. Nettie (wife) female W. age 40 born in Minn. parents born in Indiana. Virginia, female w. age 7 born in Indiana. Father va, Mother Minn.
Henry C. Thompson (my boyfriends father*) Male W. born in Oregon. Father va. Mother minn.
Emma L (leigh) female w. age 3 9/12 born in oregon.

California Death Index:
John Lee Thompson born 1 jan. 1877. Mother's maiden name was Scisson. Fathers thompson. sex M. birth place Virginia. Place of death, Los Angeles. Death date 9/14/1957 age 80.

we have some awards that belonged to john lee such as from feb. 15, 1887 a 2nd place ribbon from the YMCA in erie Pa.

this is as much information I have gathered up for now. Going to try to get the death certificate of John Lee next, and or the service record of Henry C. Thompson .

Tina