Sailing, Neils P.

The following data is extracted from History of Madison County, Indiana.

NEILS P. SAILING. The largest local enterprise of Anderson is the lumber and coal business conducted under the name of N. P. Sailing. The yards of this business are located on Home Avenue between Bronnenberg and Twelfth Streets. Mr. Sailing, who has the largest lumber yards and planing mills in this section of the state, furnishes to the trade all kinds of lumber, lath, shingles, sash, blinds, doors, frames, mouldings and wood turned work.

Mr. Sailing is a native of Denmark, born in the city of Viborg in 1858. He is one of the men of foreign birth who came to America at the beginning of their careers, sought and found the largest opportunities of life in this new country, and though he came without capital his success has been much more gener0us than that of the average American born citizen.

Neils P. Sailing was educated in the city and select schools of his native land, and was about thirteen years old when he came to America in 1882. His first location was at Manistee, Michigan, where he was connected for a time with the lumber business. His association was with his uncle, E. N. Sailing, a well known lumberman at Manistee, and while there he acquired the thorough experience which has enabled him successfully to handle an independent enterprise and make a success of it. In 1879 he removed to Grayling, Michigan, where he became interested in the mercantile business under the firm name of Sailing, Hans0n & Company. For several years, Mr. Sailing was in the wholesale lumber trade at Grayling and other parts of Michigan.

In 1899, Mr. Sailing moved to Anderson, and established his present business on April 25, of that year. From 1899 to 1903, he was extensively engaged in the manufacture of lumber, shingles and other lumber products. Purchasing the business of Koontz, Koontz & Lamont Cash Lumber Company, he added the planing mill and has since developed his plant in Anderson, until his yards and planing factory are the largest in this section of Indiana. His large and well selected stock of lumber is secured and protected under extensive sheds, and by that means he is able to supply his customers with all kinds of lumber, and have it finished in the planing mill according to the customer's specifications and wishes. In connection with his large lumber yard, he handles coal on an extensive scale. Mr. Sailing is also interested in other lumber yards, two at Muncie, Indiana, and one at Huntington in this state. He is also a stockholder in the Webb-Baxter Company at Anderson.

Mr. Sailing married Miss Nancy Coolidge, a native of Michigan, and a daughter of Elisha W. Coolidge, a prominent lumber merchant. No children have been born to their marriage. Mr. Sailing is well known as a Mason, having membership in the Manistee Lodge No. 258, A. F. & A. M., at Manistee; Chapter No. 142 R. A. M., at Grayling; and Anderson Commandery No. 32 K. T.; Detroit Council of Loyal and Select Masters in Michigan; and Moslem Temple of the Mystic Shrine of Detroit, having taken also thirty-two degrees of the Scottish Rite. His other social affiliations are with the Knights of Pythias at Anderson, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks in the same city. As to politics, Mr. Sailing has always given his support to the Republican party.

Mr. Sailing came to America a boy without means and with no one especially to direct his youthful course, and by energy, tact and good management has accumulated a considerable amount of property, and is recognized as one of the successful business men of Anderson, a broadminded, public spirited and very cordial gentleman. He has a good residence at 832 West Eighth Street, on one of the best residence thoroughfares in Anderson.

Source: History of Madison County, Indiana

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