Did a black, Haitian-born barber in Springfield influence Abraham Lincoln�s views on equality?

Lincoln historian Sam Wheeler says that�s a possibility more historians should consider.

Wheeler spoke Sunday during a presentation held at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum about the life of William de Fleurville (also known as Florville) and his relationship with Lincoln.

Fleurville is the subject of a new book written by Glennette Tilley Turner titled �Billy the Barber�s Mirror: Reflecting on an Untold Lincoln Story.�

About 150 people attended the event held from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Lincoln�s associations and friendships with black people during his time in Springfield and Washington are considered an overlooked aspect of history, Wheeler said.

Fleurville was born in Haiti as a free man in 1806 and fled in 1813 to the U.S., where he learned how to cut hair in Baltimore.

Fleurville moved to New Orleans but quickly fled after learning it was dominated by the slave trade. He came up the Mississippi River to Illinois and met Lincoln in New Salem in 1831, Wheeler said.

As the story goes, Wheeler said, Lincoln told Fleurville he could earn money that night cutting hair at the Rutledge Tavern, but he would be better off in Springfield.

Fleurville opened the first barbershop in Springfield in 1832 near what�s now the Old State Capitol. The barbershop became known as The Palace for the way it was decorated inside and as a marketing tool to lure politicians and prominent businessmen, Wheeler said.

Fleurville thrived in Springfield. He owned nearly an entire block of property on Washington Street between Eighth and Ninth streets. He would later open the first dry cleaning business in Springfield.

Wheeler said Fleurville also became known for his philanthropy, donating money to churches and leading a movement to open a school for black children.

Lincoln arrived in Springfield in 1837 and went to Fleurville � the man he first met six years earlier in New Salem � to get his hair cut. The two men became friends for the next 23 years until Lincoln left Springfield for Washington, Wheeler said.

A letter Fleurville wrote to Lincoln showed he was someone who clearly knew the man on a personal level, he said.

The letter is conversational in tone, telling Lincoln to notify his son Thomas (Tad) that the family�s dogs were OK in Springfield and that he was sad about the death of Lincoln�s other son, William.

Wheeler said Fleurville was affected deeply by Lincoln�s assassination. He died three years later at the age of 61.

He said it�s a shame Fleurville is barely mentioned in books written about the 16th president.

Given the time the two spent together in Springfield and the conversations they probably had, it�s reasonable to think Lincoln may have thought about Fleurville when he considered how black people would function in society, Wheeler said.

�Perhaps he came to that conclusion to have faith because of someone he knew in Springfield, his barber, William Fleurville,� Wheeler said.

Contact Jason Nevel: 788-1521, jason.nevel@sj-r.com, twitter.com/JasonNevelSJR