United Grain Growers History 1985

HISTORY OF UNITED GRAIN GROWERS LOCAL NO. 442

ELK POINT, ALBERTA

EARLY RAIL LINE AND ELEVATORS AT ELK POINT

U.G.G. were advised by CNR in August 1926 that the rail line was being extended from St. Paul Junction 21 miles to create 3 new grain delivery points â Heenan, Armistice and Elk Point. A site was immediately reserved at Elk Point and the elevator built the next spring.

By 1930 there were three companies on the market â McCabes, Pool and U.G.G.

UNITED GRAIN GROWERS AT ELK POINT

U.G.G. opened at Elk Point August 1, 1927 with E.D.J. McDonnell as Manager. He remained as Manager for 37 years. A second elevator was purchased from McCabe Grain in 1961 along with one at Armistice. The Elk Point one became U.G.G. No. 2 but was operated by John Juba along with No. 1. The third U.G.G. elevator came by way of a trade with Alberta Pool December, 1983. Paul Ewasiuk is Manager in charge of all three plants.

U.G.G. ELEVATOR MANAGERS AT ELK POINT

E.D.J. McDonell August 1, 1927 July 24, 1959

John Shokoples July 24, 1959 March 11, 1960

J.A. Juba March 11, 1960 July 20, 1967

Peter Halkow July 20, 1967 November 15, 1970

J. Shyska November 15, 1970 February 7, 1972

Wm. Marceniuk February 7, 1972 April 10, 1981

Paul Ewasiuk April 10, 1981 Present (1985)

UNITED GRAIN GROWERS LOCAL AT ELK POINT

In the early years Elk Point shareholders were attached to the St. Paul Local. A Local was organized at Heinsburg in 1952 to include members from Lindberg. In 1962 this became a joint Heinsburg - Elk Point Local. When Heinsburg elevator was sold the Local became Elk Point with members from other points attached. After the Grande Centre U.G.G. elevator burned in 1976 members from that Local were attached to Elk Point.

Members of the first Heinsburg Local Board 1952 - 53 were:

Henry Sorenson, Chairman, James Boyd, Steve Sharek, Michal Sawak, E.H. Horton, Charles Keller, Eric Horton, Secretary

FORMER U.G.G. ELEVATOR POINTS WITH MEMBERS

NOW ATTACHED TO ELK POINT LOCAL

HEINSBURG

United Grain Growers built the first elevator in Heinsburg. The foundation was laid in April, 1928, rail arrived in October and the elevator was taking in grain on December 5th.

A flour shed was torn down at Vermillion in 1933 with material moved to Heinsburg and re-built. It is a mark of the times that it was then profitable to move second hand lumber many miles. With changing times, the elevator was sold to Alberta Pacific Grain Company in September, 1966.

U.G.G. ELEVATOR MANAGERS AT HEINSBURG

J. Ficht December 6, 1928 April 9, 1929

J. Arnold April 9, 1929 July 15, 1930

G. Lawrence July 15, 1930 September 2, 1940

Eric Thorne September 2, 1940 March 21, 1945

R.J. Maxwell March 21, 1945 February 1, 1958

Eldred A. Lowe February 1, 1958 September 15, 1965

Edward J. Zaharko September 15, 1965 August 26, 1966

(elevator sold to Alberta Pacific August 26, 1966)

LINDBERG

U.G.G. opened the first elevator at Lindberg on November 19th, 1928. It was closed June 7, 1968 after nearly 40 years operation and torn down in 1971.

Members of the first Heinsburg - Elk Point Local Board 1962 - 63 were:

Peter Ference, Chairman, Joe Ference, Mike Kadutski, Nick Kadutski, Mike Sawak, George A. Kinch, Harold Franks, Robert Lorenson, Henry Lorenson, Charles Frisby, Archie Anderson, Frank Bendixen, Secretary

Members of the Elk Point Local Board in the 75th Anniversary Year of the Company 1981 - 82 were:

Steve Seniuk, Chairman, Raymond Ewasiuk, Steve Ference, Dirk Ludage, John Maksymec, Gordon M. Miller, Jerry Shankowski, William Smereka, Joe Sakowski, William Seniuk, Gregory Zarowny, John A. Zayonce, Raymond Danyluk, Secretary.

Members of the Elk Point Local Board 1984-85 are:

Steve Seniuk, Chairman, Bernard Boeckmann, Harry Charchun, Raymond Danyluk, Paul Grykuliak, Dirk Ludage, Johnny Mohyluk, John Maksymec, Albert Naber, Joe Sakowsky, William Seniuk, John A. Zayonce, Raymond Ewasiuk, Secretary

U.G.G. ELEVATOR MANAGERS AT LINDBERG

C. Carleton November 19, 1928 â June 5, 1940

Raymond Crowther June 5, 1940 â April 30, 1941

T.R. Magnusson April 30, 1941 â May 31, 1968

(Elevator closed May 31, 1968)

GRANDE CENTRE

In 1954 CN extended the Bonnyville Subdivision to Grande Centre to service the R.C.A.F. development in the area. U.G.G. followed the rail extension by building a new 70,000 bushel elevator, coal and feed sheds and a 5 room manager's dwelling in August, 1955. By 1968 a bulk fertilizer plant had been added in a U.G.G. â Sherritt Gordon agreement. Sadly on September 26, 1976 fire destroyed the elevator and farm supply sheds. The Manager's home and fertilizer storage plant were saved but were sold in 1977. The elevator was not rebuilt.

U.G.G. ELEVATOR MANAGERS AT GRANDE CENTRE

C.G. Hetherington August 1, 1955 June 26, 1958

J.K. Drake June 26, 1958 September 26, 1976

(Elevator burned)

U.G.G. LOCAL BOARD AT GRANDE CENTRE

The first Local was formed at Grande Centre on June 22, 1966. Elected to the first Local Board were:

James A. Vaasjo, Grand Centre, Chairman,

Hans Kohl Pierceland

James J. Murphy Pierceland

Arthur Ehle Pierceland

Phillipe LaPlante Cold Lake

Edward Schroder Flat Valley

George Harborenko Grand Centre

George A. Sakowich Goodsoil Secretary

Some other members prominent on the earlier Local Boards were: Frank Roth, Kenneth Schomber, Fred Vaasjo, Herbert Yorg, John Zuchotzki, R. Weber, Leonard Hofer.

After the elevator burned in 1976, the Local was discontinued with members being attached to Elk Point for voting privileges.