Denver Brewing Magnate. Initially a clerk with Credit Lyonais in Lyons, France; emigrated to USA in 1871 and was a salesman working in wholesale paper firm in St. Louis; next to Omaha in wholesale sales. Came to Denver in 1873 and with brother, Max, opened saloon and dance hall; sold saloon in 1891 and bought Western Brewing Company; renamed as Neef Brothers Brewing Company and its Gold Belt Beer was nationally known; 1893 capacity was 65,000 barrels per year and increasing; Neef’s “Wiener Maerzen” brand was shipped throughout Colorado and to Wyoming, New Mexico, Utah, Kansas and Nebraska. Continued beer brewing operation until Colorado passed prohibition in 1914 and then unsuccessfully brewed “near beer;” company dissolved in 1917 and Neef retired.  (bio by: Fred Beisser)  Family links:  Children:  Freddie Neef (1883 – 1890)* *Calculated relationship