Bio of NEESE, James McClure, Hennepin Co., MN
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EXTRACTED FROM: History of Minneapolis, Gateway to the Northwest; 
Chicago-Minneapolis, The S J Clarke Publishing Co, 1923; Edited by: Rev. 
Marion Daniel Shutter, D.D., LL.D.; Volume I - Shutter (Historical); 
volume II - Biographical; volume III - Biographical
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Vol II, pg 526-529
J. M. NEESE (James McClure)
Few men are more prominently known in the enterprising city of Minneapolis than
J. M. Neese, president of the E. D. Best Company, a large optical concern. He
was born in Milton, Pennsylvania, and attended the public schools there.
Subsequently he moved to Sanborn, Iowa, with his father, John Neese, and there
completed his education. He worked on the home farm for a time and then entered
newspaper work. In 1884 he came to Minneapolis and later became associated with
the Harrison Smith Printing Com­pany with which concern he remained eight years.
In 1898 he made his initial step in the optical business with E. D. Best and he
has been associated with that concern ever since. In 1905 the E. D. Best Company
was incorporated, with Mr. Neese as secretary. In August, 1921, Mr. Best died
and Mr. Neese became president of the corporation. He is one of the best known
opticians in the state and the widespread popularity of the E. D. Best Company
is largely due to his efforts during his long association with the business. Mr.
Neese has helped to build the business to the splendid enterprise it is today
and his prosperity is well deserved. He possesses untiring energy, is quick of
perception, forms his plans readily and is determined in their execution, and
his close application to business and his excellent management have brought to
him the high degree of prosperity which is his today. It is true that he became
interested in a business already established, but in controlling and enlarging
such an enterprise many a man would have failed, and he has demonstrated the
truth of the saying that success is not the result of genius but the outcome of
clear judgment and experience.
In 1909 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Neese and Miss Yvonne Trepanier, a
woman of much culture and refinement, who is socially prominent.
Fraternally Mr. Neese is identified with the Masons, holding membership in
Henne­pin Lodge, No. 4, A. F. & A. M.; Adoniram Council; Darius Commandery and
Zuhrah Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He is a charter member of the Masonic Club
and is a member of the Typographical Union. Mr. Neese is essentially a man of
business but he is public-spirfted and gives his cooperation to every movement
which tends to promote the growth and progress of the city.