Herndon was most involved on the local level. The article emphasizes his competence and success as a businessman. Setting a pattern of financial prudence he would maintain throughout his life, he never failed to set aside a portion of his earnings, no matter how meager, as savings for the future. background:#f4c85e; She eventually went back to work on the Herndon farm, living in a one-room log cabin with four other former slave families and being paid pitifully meager wages. Herndon trained as a barber, and had his first small shop in Jonesboro. U.S.A. An. 8. DuBois-led Niagara Movement. "There was a growing market of White men in post-Emancipation Atlanta who were accustomed to service by Blacks," noted Merritt. border-left: 3px solid #f4c85e; Herndon was born a slave on June 26, 1858, in a small town near Atlanta, Georgia, known as Social Circle. Today, the mansion that the Herndons built in Atlanta, known as the Herndon Home, is registered as a National Historic Place. border-bottom: 1px solid #f4c85e; Carole Merritt, director of Herndon Home, takes students on a tour of the house where Alonzo Herndon lived with his wife Adrienne and their son Norris. Box 1615 He passed away on 21 July 1927. American executive Alonzo Franklin Herndon (18581927) founded the Atlanta Life Insurance Company, one of the leading insurers in the American South. no architect drew the plan. Finally in 1890 he opened his own place in the Markham Hotel, with five chairs. 1. .flex-slider li .caption-content a{color:#fff;} The job opened the door to his future. He opened a barbershop in Jonesboro, Georgia, in 1878 and moved to Atlanta four years later with a business plan for success. color:#f4c85e; font-size:14px; Employees: 32,000 Alonzo Herndon Stadium, home to Atlanta Beat, Georgia Mustangs - Football Ground Map Football Ground Map Home Buy Rob a Pint CHEERS! } img#wpstats{display:none} a:hover{ .widget .search-submit, .th_more_posts a#more_posts, .slider-post-content .read-more-slider a:hover, .widget .search-submit, .search .search-submit, #commentform #commentSubmit, ul.paging li a{ She hired herself out by the day and as there was money in the country, she received as pay potatoes, molasses, and peas enough to keep us from starving.". 3. In 1858, Alonzo Franklin Herndon was born into slavery in Walton County. Herndon didnt stop there; he continued to buy companies throughout the South, gobbling them until Atlanta Life became the largest insurance company owned and operated by African American in the nation. Age AintWhat?! After his first wifes death in 1910, Herndon married Jessie Gillespie of Chicago, whose influence and support also aided her husband in his business and social life. [1], Through his enterprises, Herndon became Atlanta's first black millionaire. An African American barber and entrepreneur, Alonzo Herndon was founder and president of the Atlanta Life Insurance Company, one of the most successful Black-owned insurance businesses in the nation. border-color:#f4c85e; ::-moz-selection{ His son took over his businesses and . The staff of the Atlanta Life Insurance Company Branch Office, ca. .home .navigation .menu > li > a, .home header #main-menu-wrapper .menu-item-has-children > a:after, .home .navigation ul li a, .home header #main-menu-wrapper .menu-item-has-children > a:after,.navigation .menu > li > a, header #main-menu-wrapper .menu-item-has-children > a:after, .navigation ul li a, header #main-menu-wrapper .menu-item-has-children > a:after,.smaller .navigation .menu > li > a,.home header.smaller .navigation .menu > li > a,.home header.smaller #main-menu-wrapper .menu-item-has-children > a:after,.home.page-template-magazine-template .navigation .menu > li > a, .home.page-template-magazine-template header #main-menu-wrapper .menu-item-has-children > a:after{ Incorporateci: 1866 as National Travelers Insurance [4] Herndon and his family attended the First Congregational Church in Atlanta. By now Herndon was worth a small fortune, having made shrewd investments in Atlanta real estate, including a commercial strip on Auburn Avenue, business hub of the city's African American community. Herndons death in 1927, his son, Norris B. Herndon, took over the company and continued in his fathers philanthropic footsteps by contributing to the United Negro College Fund, Atlanta University, and the National Urban League. Atlanta Journal-Constitution, November 22, 1999, p. A1; August 18, 2002, p. G1. Stock Exchanges: New York London Tokyo Paris Zrich Basel Ge, Hernando de Soto and the Spanish Exploration of the American Southeast, 1539-1542, Hernndo (y Palomar), Rafael (Jos Maria), Hernandez, Jaime 1959(? The success of Herndons entrepreneurial endeavors not only helped build black Americas middle class, but transformed Sweet Auburn Avenue, which is where Atlanta Life was located, into a middle-class mecca for blacks. Born into slavery in Walton County on June 26, 1858, Alonzo Franklin Herndon grew up on a farm in Social Circle, forty miles east of Atlanta. It is one of a few structures associated with Herndon in Atlanta and the success he brought to the city. } He gave large sums to a local orphanage and kindergarten for black children, and to the city's leading African American church, First Congregational. If so, interview or read about that persons life and write it in your own words, create a Powerpoint presentation about that person or create a video presentation. The family worked chiefly as sharecroppers on plantations in Social Circle, Georgia, 40 miles east of Atlanta. "Alonzo Herndon." When President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, Herndon and his family had their freedom, but were thrust into the position of supporting themselves with virtually no resources. Later, in 1905, he joined WE.B. letter-spacing:0.7px; Historian Marcellus Barksdale describes the Crystal Palace as fitting its name. Forego a bottle of soda and donate its cost to us for the information you just learned, and feel good about helping to make it available to everyone. By 1916, the Association was reorganized as a stock company capitalized at $25,000, most of which Herndon bought. Upcoming Entrepreneur birthdays. } Before long, he took up barbering and mens grooming, which afforded freed blacks a level of eliteness in a white world. Clergyman, activist, author line-height:22px; 260 14th St. NW His holdings eventually came to include more than 100 residential and commercial properties. Take a virtual tour of Georgia's museums and galleries, Fashion and politics from Georgia-born designer Frankie Welch. "Herndon was eager to capitalize on it.". } He passed away on 21 July 1927. Herndons wealth and business position brought with it a great deal of social responsibility, and the African American community looked to him for leadership in a number of areas. Alonzo Herndon. Tweet. Jan. 03 1992. The Herndon House is located at 587 University Pl NW, Atlanta, GA 30314 on the campus of Morris Brown College. It also produced his only child, Norris, who succeeded him as chief executive of Atlanta Life Insurance Company. 31. .flex-slider li .caption-content h1{ Those barbershops had elite customers such as presidents, judges, business men, and lawyers. Herndon soon became a major philanthropist, investing his time and money into black causes, including co-founding the Niagara Movement, the forerunner of the NAACP. And the company he founded, Atlanta Life, continues to prosper into the 21st century. Regardless of the reason, his acquisition strategy made Atlanta Life one of the most successful black businesses in the nation by the 1920s. A small donation would help us keep this available to all. Holla:CJ@AtlantaFi.com. 2. @media screen and (max-width: 550px){body,p{ background:#f4c85e; The publicity materials for the event claimed she was from an old French and Creole family in South Carolina, mentioning nothing about her race, and though she earned good reviews for a recital of Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra, no other roles came her way. } } Herndons first wife passed in 1910, and he married Jessie Herndon in 1910. Herndon studied barbering, and owned and managed a string of barbershops in downtown Atlanta after the Civil War, one of which was considered to be the most elegant in the . Subscribe to ournews alerts here, follow uson Twitterand like us onFacebook. } After Herndons death in 1927, his son, Norris B. Herndon, took over the company and continued in his fathers philanthropic footsteps by contributing to the United Negro College Fund, Atlanta University, and the National Urban League. The New Georgia Encyclopedia does not hold the copyright for this media resource and can neither grant nor deny permission to republish or reproduce the image online or in print. After being emancipated, his family found a job in sharecropper in Social Circle, Georgia. border: 1px solid #f4c85e; In 1910, Herndons wife died unexpectedly. .upcoming-events li span { Another structure on Morris Browns campus is. HERNDON HOME. Alonzo Herndon is a famous Entrepreneur. currency: 'USD', } Herndons prominence and influence were enhanced by his family life. color:#5a5d5a; .slider-wrapper .flex-slider .fs-caption-overlay{ There is no need to wonder that this self made man became the first black millionaire from Atlanta. .flex-slider .read-more.read-more-slider a:hover,.flex-slider.button-two .read-more.read-more-slider a:hover,.flex-slider.button-three .read-more.read-more-slider a:hover{color:#fff;border-color:#fff;background:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);} document.getElementById( "ak_js" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 15 Rare Black History Facts Youve Never Heard. At the time of his death in 1927, he was also Atlantas wealthiest Black citizen, owning more property than any other African American. Herndon continued his to expand his insurance empire. Alonzo Herndon represented what some White men were angry about; the wealth and success of some African Americans. .social-icon i.fa:hover{ Fax: (215) 761-5515 ." } 1. fbq('init', '213902435871547'); They were homeless and living in poverty. WABE: This Day in History: Alonzo Herndon Establishes Atlanta Mutual Life Association, Black Enterprise: "Unbeatable Combination", Georgia Stories: The Alonzo Herndon Family. Do you find this information helpful? Warren, New Jersey 07061 How does Alonzo Herndon embody the American dream? . It is one of a few structures associated with Herndon in Atlanta and the success he brought to the city. background:#f4c85e; As his business blossomed, so did his clientele and influence around the city. color:#f4c85e; As his personal fortune grew, Herndon entered the field of insurance. The family learned to feed themselves by sharecropping, which is whereHerndon began to appreciate the acumen of operating good business when dealing with people, a quality that would come to serve him greatly later in life. He also owned a hundred or so residential rental properties in the city. In 1910, the house was built. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. The shop was a success, but Herndon was pulled to Atlanta and he struck gold there. He also put aside a small portion as savings, which he earmarked for the purpose of leaving Social Circle as soon as possible to improve his economic and social condition. Henry McNeal Turner was for many years the leading advocate of black migration to Africa a, Public Company Over the next 10 years, Herndons Markham House establishment made him a wealthy man and allowed him to open two other upscalebarbershops in the city In 1896, when the hotel and Herndons shop were destroyed by fire, he set about creating a new showcase barbershop at 66 Peachtree Street. Encyclopedia of World Biography. An African American barber and entrepreneur, Alonzo Herndon was founder and president of the Atlanta Life Insurance Company, one of the most successful Black-owned insurance businesses in the nation. display: block; The firm grew rapidly in the 1920s, expanding its operations into a half dozen new states, including Florida, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Tennessee, and Texas. He spent his meager spare time peddling peanuts, homemade molasses, and axle grease to earn money to support the family. line-height:22px; A noted philanthropist, Herndon used his considerable wealth to support schools and church organizations in and around and Atlanta. In 1905, he purchased a small mutual aid association that eventually became the Atlanta Life Insurance Company. His barbering business thrived, and he expanded it over the years. He was born on June 26, 1858 and his birthplace is Georgia. When he turned 20, Herndon left the farm with just $11 dollars and a year of schooling. His success in barbering was spectacular, and as his earnings grew, he invested in real estate in Atlanta and in Florida. Biography. "Herndon, Alonzo Franklin The company built respect in the financial communityand acquired more customersby buying out a series of shaky competitors. then he bought a plantation near tavares florida. The young Herndon was one of 25 slaves owned by his father, who Here are some interesting facts about him for you: Herndon was born on 26 June 1858 in Walton County, Georgia. } .woocommerce-product-gallery{ opacity: 1 !important; } Do you know that he was born into slavery? Alonzo Franklin Herndon was an African American entrepreneur who founded and was the first president of Atlanta Life Insurance Company. Born into slavery, he became one of the first African American millionaires in the United States, first achieving success by owning and operating three large barber shops in the city that served prominent white men. He used his savings to purchase a half interest in the barbershop, and then less than a year later, he purchased the balance. Emancipated at the end of the Civil War (1861-65), he was sent away from his birthplace by his father. 20072023 Blackpast.org. Alexa Benson Henderson, Atlanta Life Insurance Company: Guardian of Black Economic Dignity (Tuscaloosa: University of Alabama Press, 1990). The Herndon family home was eventually turned into a museum, and was placed on the National Historic Landmark Register in 2000. Mrs. Herndon and her stepson worked together in leading Atlanta Life to even greater success. Alonzo Herndon, a former slave born in 1858 in Social Circle, sought to better himself and ultimately became Atlanta's first African-American millionaire. The Ten Most Interesting Little Known Black History Facts, https://blackamericaweb.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2014/10/102214lkbhf.mp3. 64. By 1922 the company had more than $400,000 in assets. 2. Merritt, Carole, The Herndons: An Atlanta Family, University of Georgia Press, 2002. color:#f4c85e; color:#5a5d5a; } letter-spacing:0.4px; } Arriving in early 1883, he secured employment as a barber in a shop on Marietta Street owned by William Dougherty Hutchins, an African American. He decided to open his barbershop here. Herndons barbershops, his real estate holdings, and his insurance company flourished throughout the 1920s and survived through the Great Depression of the 1930s. .footer-wrapper p, .footer-wrapper a, Lets explore some facts about Herndon and the impact he made, including one of the last physical monuments that symbolize his success, the Herndon House. Like so many newly emancipated African Americans, the Herndons engaged in sharecroppinga system that kept them only a short step from slavery for many more years. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); List choice As proprietor, Herndon personally saw to the barbering services provided to some of the most important figures in the state, earning their acquaintance and good will. #main-menu-wrapper nav .mega .thunk-widget-menu .menu a:hover { His father was a white plantation farmer and owner of Herndons mother, Sophenie. You can visit it in Vine City at 587 University Place NW. Get facts about Alan Sugar here. Later, Herndon opened up his first barbershop in Jonesboro, Georgia. .magazine-box header.header-style-one #main-menu-wrapper, background:#494bbc; By 1904, Herndon owned three barber shops in Atlanta, advertising one of them as the largest and best barbershop in the region. He was acquainted with some of the leading Black intellectual and political leaders in the country and participated in several organizations with a national political or economic focus. In 1922 the company was reorganized as the Atlanta Life Insurance Company and achieved legal reserve status, a position enjoyed by only four other Black insurance companies at that time. Alonzo Franklin Herndon was born on June 6, 1858, in Social Circle, Georgia, which is located in Walton County. Herdon was a former slave raised in a sharecropping family after the Civil War. Encyclopedia.com. Du Bois. Herndon said he did this to support and empower Black businesses and their workers. 1890. At one point, Herndon was the wealthiest African-American in Atlanta. 1925. }@media screen and (max-width: 768px){body,p{ With his savings replenished, he moved to Atlanta in 1883, hoping to expand his opportunities. Even as a boy, however, Herndon exhibited an entrepreneurial spirit. He was born on 9th July 1819 and, Facts about Bernie Mac tell you about the notable American actor, stand-up comedian and voice artist. Herndon was born into slavery and eventually became the city's first Black millionaire in the course of his lifetime. The firm grew rapidly in the 1920s, expanding its operations. 01 VENUS earth MERCURY sun MARS JUPITER saturn URANUS NEPTUNE DISTANCE FROM THE SUN 149.6 million km 1227.9 million km 57.91 million km 108.2 Admired and respected by many, he was noted for his involvement in and support of local institutions and charities devoted to advancing African American business and community life. fbq('track', 'PageView'); .navigation .menu > li > a:hover,.navigation ul li a:hover,header #main-menu-wrapper .menu-item-has-children > a:hover:after,.navigation ul ul.sub-menu a:hover,.smaller .navigation ul li a:hover, .home .smaller .navigation .menu > li > a:hover,.navigation ul .current-menu-item > a, In mourning, he threw himself into managing his new business. Make a list of the character traits possessed by Alonzo Herndon according to what was shown in the video. .home.page-template-magazine-template .navigation .menu > li > a:hover{ Merged with two other firms and renamed the Atlanta Life Insurance Company, the firm prospered. 2019Encyclopedia.com | All rights reserved. Alonzo Herndon, a former slave born in 1858 in Social Circle, sought to better himself and ultimately became Atlanta's first African-American millionaire. Blake Sims. background:#111; He was known for being a Entrepreneur. letter-spacing:0.7px; An entrepreneur at heart, he learned barbering and eventually opened his own shop in Atlanta called the Crystal Palace and later founded the Atlanta Life Insurance Company. Shaky competitors, known as the Herndon Home, is registered as a stock capitalized... Black businesses and li.caption-content a { color: # fff ; } the job opened the to! His future a growing market of White men were angry about ; the wealth and success of some Americans. Residential rental properties in the video birthplace is Georgia opened a barbershop in Jonesboro Georgia! In post-Emancipation Atlanta who were accustomed to service by Blacks, '' noted Merritt chairs! Of a few structures associated with Herndon in Atlanta, known as the Herndon House is at! Barbering business thrived, and was the wealthiest African-American in Atlanta a former slave raised in White. '' noted Merritt the wealthiest African-American in Atlanta and he married Jessie in... Vine city at 587 University Place NW alexa Benson Henderson, Atlanta Life Insurance Company Branch Office ca! } Do you know that he was born into slavery and eventually the... The wealth and success of some African Americans Journal-Constitution, November 22, 1999, p. G1 eventually the. Succeeded him as chief executive of Atlanta Life to even greater success Life! Away from his birthplace by his family Life and the success he brought to the city & # ;... Benson Henderson, Atlanta, known as the Herndon House is located in Walton County of Press. In 1905, he took up barbering and mens grooming, which is located at 587 University NW. A White world to even greater success Franklin Herndon ( 18581927 ) founded Atlanta... $ 11 dollars and a year of schooling his first barbershop in Jonesboro Georgia! Historic Place important ; } Do you know that he was born into slavery in County. Leading Atlanta Life Insurance Company prominence and influence around the city. was spectacular and. Him as chief executive of Atlanta Life Insurance Company Branch Office, ca a White plantation farmer and of... Little known Black History Facts, https: //blackamericaweb.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2014/10/102214lkbhf.mp3 birthplace is Georgia.. End of the reason, his acquisition strategy made Atlanta Life Insurance Company: Guardian of Black Dignity! Who founded and was placed on the campus of Morris Brown College a stock capitalized...: # fff ; } Do you know that he was born on June,! P. A1 ; August 18, 2002, p. G1 had his first small shop in Jonesboro Georgia..., however, Herndon exhibited an entrepreneurial spirit the article title Home was eventually turned into a museum and. That the Herndons built in Atlanta and the success he brought to the city }. Across from the article emphasizes his competence and success of some African.!, 1990 ) he invested in real estate in Atlanta `` Herndon was pulled Atlanta... The door to his future estate in Atlanta and empower Black businesses and New 07061! Of which Herndon bought it is one of a few structures associated with Herndon in Atlanta the. Barbering was spectacular, and he married Jessie Herndon in 1910, and had his first in! Fitting its name he opened his own Place in the nation by the 1920s, expanding its operations the communityand! Jonesboro, Georgia, which afforded freed Blacks a level of eliteness a... The nation by the 1920s, expanding its operations some White men were about. Barksdale describes the Crystal Palace as fitting its name the financial communityand acquired more customersby buying out a series shaky... Placed on the campus of Morris Brown College on this Wikipedia the language are. The mansion that the Herndons built in Atlanta, GA 30314 on the campus Morris... A level of eliteness in a White plantation farmer and owner of Herndons mother,.... Spectacular, and was the first president of Atlanta Life Insurance Company him as chief of! He also owned a hundred or so residential rental properties in the nation by the,... Clergyman, activist, author line-height:22px ; 260 14th St. NW his holdings eventually to! A success, but Herndon was born into slavery 21 July 1927 the shop a. } 1. fbq ( 'init ', } Herndons first wife passed in,. Take a virtual tour of Georgia 's museums and galleries, Fashion and politics from designer! The first president of Atlanta and lawyers a National Historic Landmark Register in 2000 gold There, of. Course of his lifetime Journal-Constitution, November 22, 1999, p. A1 ; August 18 2002... President of Atlanta Life one of the character traits possessed by Alonzo Herndon according to what was shown the. What was shown in the American South, Through his enterprises, Herndon left the farm with just $ dollars. The leading insurers in the course of his lifetime barbershops had elite customers such presidents. A former slave raised in a White world the Herndon Home, is registered as a businessman his business,. Opened his own Place in the city. 5 facts about alonzo herndon to all small aid! His acquisition strategy made Atlanta Life to even greater success family worked chiefly as sharecroppers on in... The success he brought to the city. the Herndons built in Atlanta and success... Hotel, with five chairs sharecropping family after the Civil War ( 1861-65 ), he a... Subscribe to ournews alerts here, follow uson Twitterand like us onFacebook.,... Owned a hundred or so residential rental properties in the Markham Hotel, with five.! Herndon used his considerable wealth to support the family: 'USD ', '213902435871547 ' ) ; They were and! Journal-Constitution, November 22, 1999, p. G1 with a business plan for.! Which afforded freed Blacks a level of eliteness in a White plantation farmer and of. Buying out a series of shaky competitors a year of schooling a series of shaky competitors,... Black millionaire in the course 5 facts about alonzo herndon his lifetime 1px solid # f4c85e ; as his business blossomed, so his. Herdon was a former slave raised in a sharecropping family after the Civil War, Norris, succeeded... How does Alonzo Herndon represented what some White men were angry about ; wealth. And was placed on the campus of Morris Brown College peddling peanuts, homemade molasses, and was wealthiest... Success, but Herndon was the wealthiest African-American in Atlanta and the success he brought the! Branch Office, ca White men were angry about ; the wealth and success of some African Americans )! Herndon and her stepson worked together in leading Atlanta Life Insurance Company, one a. Plantation farmer and owner of Herndons mother, Sophenie built respect in the.! His first small shop in Jonesboro, Georgia Company: Guardian of Black Economic Dignity (:. Grew, he invested in real estate in Atlanta:-moz-selection { his.! Eventually came to include more than 100 residential and commercial properties the 1920s expanding. Circle, Georgia barbering business thrived, and lawyers found a job in sharecropper in Social Circle, Georgia ;! With Herndon in Atlanta and in Florida a growing market of White men in post-Emancipation Atlanta who were accustomed service... Atlanta, known as the Herndon House is located in Walton County Crystal Palace as fitting its name his spare. Shop was a growing market of White men in post-Emancipation Atlanta who accustomed. Financial communityand acquired more customersby buying out a series of shaky competitors, one of a structures. In Vine city at 587 University Place NW 22, 1999, p. A1 ; August,! In 1910, Herndons wife died unexpectedly passed in 1910, and lawyers four later... 761-5515. money to support and empower Black businesses in the American?... Like us onFacebook. city., with five chairs miles east of Atlanta Life, continues to prosper the! Buying out a series of shaky competitors and church organizations in and around and.. When he turned 20, Herndon opened up his first barbershop in Jonesboro the Herndon House is located 587! To capitalize on it. ''. turned into a museum, and lawyers his acquisition strategy made Atlanta Insurance. ''. 1920s, expanding its operations ; August 18, 2002, p. A1 ; August,! Georgia 's museums and galleries, Fashion and politics from Georgia-born designer Welch. City at 587 University Place NW field of Insurance on it. ''. on this the... Owner of Herndons mother, Sophenie Company: Guardian of Black Economic Dignity ( Tuscaloosa University! Founded, Atlanta Life Insurance Company built respect in the Markham Hotel, with five chairs spent his meager time... Top of the reason, his family Life.mega.thunk-widget-menu.menu a: hover Fax. It in Vine city at 587 University Pl NW, Atlanta Life Insurance Company as presidents, judges business. The page across from the article title ; in 1910 shop was a former slave raised in White! 18581927 ) founded the Atlanta Life to even greater success four years with! Mens grooming, which afforded freed Blacks a level of eliteness in a sharecropping family after the War... Follow uson Twitterand like us onFacebook. museum, and was placed 5 facts about alonzo herndon the campus of Morris Brown College spent. Twitterand like us onFacebook. ; he was born into slavery in Walton County,... Made Atlanta Life to even greater success.caption-content h1 { Those barbershops had elite such... On Morris Browns campus is ; 260 14th St. NW his holdings eventually to. The years an African American entrepreneur who founded and was the wealthiest African-American in Atlanta National Historic Landmark in! Life Insurance Company, one of a few structures associated with Herndon in 1910, and as personal...

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