Thompson Barrick
Thompson Barrick graduated in early 1861. After graduation, he returned home to his family
farm in East Varick, N. Y., where he worked his widowed mother's farm with his brothers John,
who had graduated from the Normal School the previous summer, and Reuben. He joined the
Normal School Company with his brother John and was appointed a corporal before leaving
Albany. His brother John took sick on a march in early November, 1862, and died November 24,
at Columbia Hospital in Washington D. C. Thompson continued with the regiment until
Gettysburg, when he was wounded in the shoulder while carrying the regiment's flag. While in
the hospital, he began studying for the officers' examinations for the U. S. C. T. He passed the
examination and was commissioned a lieutenant in the 39th U. S. C. T. After the war, he taught
school for half a year. He worked for the Central Railroad in New Jersey for a time shortly after
the war, and later sold fruit trees in East Varick. By 1895 he had moved to Geneva, where he
worked in the nursery business. While in New Jersey, Thompson married Hannah Cummings on
February 19, 1867. He had 3 daughters, Jennie, Fanny, and Edna. (1)
1. Historical Sketch of the State Normal College at Albany, N.Y...., 186; 1880 Federal Census, New York State, Seneca County.