Born in 1886, by the time he was 30 he had risen to vice-president and sales manager of Beloit Iron Works’ competition, Pusey & Jones.

He married Laura Aldrich, daughter of the Iron Works president Alonzo Aldrich, came to work for him and became in succession vice-president (1916-1931), president (1932-1952) and CEO (1952-1961) of what eventually became the Beloit Corporation. A shrewd financier who believed in making the best paper machine, he loved selling paper machines and was good at it. He was an acknowledged leader by the trade, and his opinion was highly regarded.

A well liked man, he was not as unbending as his father-in-law, was full of fun, but still demanded good performance. Known as a patron of the arts and a humanitarian, he was very supportive of Mrs. Neese’s alma mater Beloit College, of the Family Service Association and of the First Congregational Church. Also, the Beloit Foundation was founded in 1939 under his patronage.