Thomas Cousins was born December 14, 1858 at Port Alkien, Iowa. He spend his early life in Iowa, and in 1882, he married Carrie Harris who died later. In 1891 Mr. Cousins came to North Dakota. He married Nellie M. Van Meter in 1895 at Sykeston. The couple lived in Fargo until they came to Carrington in about 1907.
Mr. Cousins owned and operated several grain elevators.
He was a civic‑minded man and a great friend to the schools.
Nellie Van Meter was born at Burlington, Iowa on May 28, 1883, and came to North Dakota with her parents in 1889. She taught school before her marriage.
They had four children, Hazel, who died in infancy, Dorothy, Van Meter and Thomas Jr.
Mr. Cousins died in June 1919. Mrs. Cousins died in June 1932. They are buried at Carrington.
Source: A History of Foster County 1983 Page 20B