Origin of Cosine
Grosswerder and Surrounding Districts
Grosswerder Historical Society
Pages 70 & 71
In 1930-31, the Canadian National Railway built a branch line from Unity, Sask to Bodo, Alta. It was one of the nicest winters on record. Grade building crews worked the shirts as there was no snow. The camp was set up on the grounds where later the Hamlet of Cosine sprung up. The United Grain Growers tore down an elevator at Primate and built it up in 1931 at Cosine. Mr. Wilbur Thompson set up a smal store and later built a store the next year, calling it the Cosine Trading Co. Alex J. Gartner was the manager, and later bought it from Mr. Thompson. In 1947, Mr. Gartner sold it to Joe and Tony Uzelman who later sold it to Edward J. Sieben. Mr. Sieben operated the store until 1938 when he closed it down and sold the building to Dennis Walz who moved it to his farm, where it still stands. The Searle Grain Company built a new elevator in 1932. John Usselman and George Meier built a store and garage which they operated for a few years, and finally disposed of. Albert Seifert operated a dray for a few years. Mr. William Ermantrout operated a blacksmith shop for a few years. Mr. Wilbur Thompson was doing good business so Mr. Bruser set up a store across town on NW 1/4 of Sec. 34. Mr. Peter Sieben and girls operated the store.
There was also a lumber branch set up but only remained for a couple of years. Mr. George Atkinson put up a building and moved the post office from his farm called Atkinson, Sask. (1910) to Cosine in 1932. All there businesses closed down during the dirty thirties and early forties, except Coxine Trading C., post office and the two elevators.
In 1952 the Post Office was moved into Cosine Trading Co., due to the passing away of the postmistress. In 1945 Mr. Ambrose Sieben Jr., son of Jacob Sieben built a dance hall which operated for a few years. Many good public and wedding dances were held.
In 1945 Mr. George Rissling and wife operated a caf� for a couple of years in the U. G. G. house where they lived.
The following are the operaters of Cosine Trading Co.: Alex J. Gartner (1932-47); Joe and Tony Uzelman (1947-1955), Joe Uselman (1955-57); Edward J. Sieben (1957-1968), when it closed down.
Post Office operators were: Mrs Jenny Atkinson (1932-1952); Joe Uzelman (1952-1957); Mrs. Josephine Sieben (Edward J.) (1957-1968), when it closed.
United Grain Grower Elevator agents; Mr. Paul Reiss (1931-1943); Joe Ganie (1943-44); George Rissling (1944-46); Joe Uzelman (1946-47); Paul Baier (1947-48) and again Joe Uzelman until 1951 then it was traded to the Searle Grain Co. for another elevator at Compeer.
Agents for the Searle Grain Co. were as follows; Mr. Kendal (1932-34); Adrian Granoski (1934-36); closed for 1937. George Vetter (1938-1940), Martin Heil (1940-42); Gus Michelman (1942-44, 46-48, ), Bill Nyuli (1944-46), closed till 1951; John Vetter (1951-54), Karl Meier (1954-56), George German (1956-57), John Heiland (1957-61), Ray Flasch (1961-63), Puis Fischer (1963-64), Mike Guchert (1964-75), Donald Sieben (1975-78), Stan Larson (April to Nov. 1978), Tom Sieben (Dec 1978 maybe here until the elevators are due to close July 1979). Rail line abandonment set for Dec. 31, 1981 which we hope won't materialize. Many good times were enjoyed by the residents of Cosine; Sports days, open air and railway box car dances, horse and chariot races. Cosine could be proud of their softball teams namely Cosine Bear Cats, who won the league cup three years in sucession. A later team played in North West Sask. Playoffs in 1944.
Groceries and mail were a lot easier for our parents and us to get at Cosine, than from Battleford in 1908, and 1909 as my dad John H. Sieben walked to both places, 200 yards to Cosine and 100 miles to Battleford.
Last Updated: Sunday, February 10, 2002
