1850

Who had the power to choose their work?
In the 1840s and 50s, more African Americans settled in McLean County. But they soon learned that their opportunities were limited.

African Americans

African Americans who arrived from the south looking for opportunities to improve their lives brought with them limited occupational skills, as most had only worked as laborers, or house servants

Versus

White Settlers

Many of McLean County’s earliest white residents (mostly from the south) brought with them deep-seated traditions and practices. These included the belief that African Americans should be treated as property, and unwritten laws that limited the kind of work available to African Americans.

Who had the power?

We don’t know when William McCoslin arrived in Bloomington. But by the spring of 1850, the Illinois native had established a barber shop on Front Street in Bloomington.

With few exceptions, manual labor and barbering were two of the few jobs at which Black men could earn a living. McCoslin cut the hair of and shaved both Black and white customers—possible, perhaps, because he was of mixed race.

McCoslin also provided a clothes cleaning service. This work was likely contracted to a capable Black laundress—perhaps his wife Caroline Allen, who he married in September of 1850. 

McCoslin would also “visit ladies at their residences, and curl and dress hair in the latest and most approved styles.”

A man sitting in a carriage pulled by two horses is on the street outside of a two story brick building. The building has three large arched windows for the storefront on the first floor.

It is likely that the African American barber posed outside his shop in this circa 1870 photograph is William McCoslin. His barbershop was located below C.D. Swett’s Fancy Goods store at 112-114 W. Front Street from 1869-1873.

A man sitting in a carriage pulled by two horses is on the street outside of a two story brick building. The building has three large arched windows for the storefront on the first floor.
City barbering saloon, William McCoslin. takes great pleasure in announcing=

McCoslin advertisement, Bloomington Pantagraph, September 7, 1850

City barbering saloon, William McCoslin. takes great pleasure in announcing=

Razor and Box, circa 1830

A straight razor unfolded at a 90-degree angle with accompanying case.

McCoslin used tools like those shown here to shave his customers.

Donated by: Minerva Irvin
807.621

A straight razor unfolded at a 90-degree angle with accompanying case.

Razor and Strop, circa 1840

Strops were used to sharpen razors.

Donated by: Minerva Irvin
807.621

McCoslin enlisted in the 29th Regiment of the U.S. Colored Infantry during the Civil War, doing so as soon as African Americans were allowed to, in 1863

McCoslin traveled to Quincy, where the Black regiment was organized. He served his country well achieving the rank of Sergeant Major before he mustered out (was discharged from) of the army. 

On his return he had more rights as Black Codes had been eliminated and African American men could vote. But unwritten laws regarding African American jobs had not changed. McCoslin continued to work as a barber for the rest of his life.

Reflection Questions

Who determined where African Americans worked?

What words shown here best describe why job opportunities for African Americans were limited?

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