A History of

DeMoulin Bros. Co. of Greenville, Illinois

1862   Edmund DeMoulin is born near Jamestown, Illinois.

1886   Ed moves to Greenville, Illinois and takes over ownership of the Butler Photo Studio.

1893   Ed and another Greenville man, Vance McLain, begin manufacturing ceremonial axes for the Modern Woodmen of America.

1894   On the request of W.A. Northcott, Head Counsel of the Modern Woodmen of America, Ed with the help of brother, U.S., devises a new initiation to boost the organization’s dwindling numbers.  The DeMoulin goat is born.  The first goats are made at the family’s blacksmith shop in Sebastapol, Illinois.

1895   U.S. moves to Greenville and becomes a partner. 

1895   The first Ed DeMoulin and Brother catalog is printed.

1896   After operating in various buildings near downtown Greenville, a three story factory is built on south 4th Street on the “old mill property.”  The site provides rail access.

1897   The first band uniform is made for the Greenville Concert band.

1899 Factory is built on south side of Greenville near railroad tracks.

1902   Brother Erastus joins the company and becomes plant superintendent.

1905   The factory is incorporated as DeMoulin Bros. & Co.  Ed is president and U.S. serves as  vice president/general manager.  Henry C. Diehl (Ed and U.S.’s brother-in-law) is secretary. 

 1907   Fire destroys the factory.  A new brick facility is built on the same spot.

1913    DeMoulin begins manufacturing military academy uniforms.

1916    During a brief train stop, former president Teddy Roosevelt visits employees.

1922   A practical joke on a railroad agent using a DeMoulin trick chair leads to a lawsuit that eventually costs the factory $5,000.

1934   The factory hits its peak years for making circus uniforms and outfits.

1935   Ed DeMoulin dies of a stroke at his Los Angeles home.

1936   Erastus DeMoulin dies from a heart attack at home in Greenville.

1947   U.S. retires and names his nephew, Leslie DeMoulin, as successor.

1955   A fire does $400,000 in damage to the wood room, blacksmith shop, and upolstery department.  The lodge paraphernalia business is phased out.  Band uniforms and graduation caps and gowns become the company's focus.

            U.S. DeMoulin dies from a heart condition at his home in Greenville.

1961   The Monticello Cap and Gown Company is formed.  The graduation cap and gown business enjoys huge growth over the next twenty years.  It is later sold in 1982 to a Chicago firm.

1962   The employees vote to join the ILGWU Union.

1963   Leslie DeMoulin dies after a short illness.  His son, William L. DeMoulin, is the company’s new president.

1989   Company sold to local investors including Dick DeMoulin (William’s son) and Mike Coling.

1992   Company celebrates its 100th Anniversary.  In its first 100 years, five men have served as president...Ed DeMoulin, U.S. DeMoulin, Leslie DeMoulin, Bill DeMoulin, and Dick DeMoulin.

1995   DeMoulin Brothers is sold to Bill Marsden of St. Louis.

2002   Magician David Copperfield visits the factory. 

            Tornado lifts a portion of the roof.  No one is injured.

2004   Three Frenchmen And A Goat:  The DeMoulin Bros. Story is released.