li.social-icon ul li a,ul.single-social-icon li a i{ Within two years her widower had remarried a Milwaukee, Wisconsin woman, Jessie Gillespie, whose family had a successful hair business in Chicago. Herndon was born on June 26, 1858 in Walton County, Georgia to Frank Herndon, a white farmer, and Sophenie, his slave. Alonzo Herndon. One of Herndons most lasting contributions includes his role in establishing the United Negro College Fund. . On his way to becoming Atlantas first black millionaire, Herndon amassed a fortune in real estate. She was a drama teacher at Atlanta University at the time. .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{ Today the home is registered as a National Historic Place. Completed in 1910, the Herndon Home, was the residence of Alonzo Herndon and his family. Tweet. Take a virtual tour of Georgia's museums and galleries, Fashion and politics from Georgia-born designer Frankie Welch. Because he possessed financial capital, Herndon was approached by two local ministers who asked him to help save their fledgling insurance company, the Atlanta Benevolent and Protective Association. .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);} }body,p{ In 1893 he married Adrienne Elizabeth McNeil, a professor at Atlanta University (later Clark Atlanta University). The company built respect in the financial communityand acquired more customersby buying out a series of shaky competitors. Atlanta Haps Newsletter 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. 'https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/fbevents.js'); #main-menu-wrapper nav .mega .thunk-widget-menu .menu a:hover { Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19192-1550 Within the Cite this article tool, pick a style to see how all available information looks when formatted according to that style. He was a member of W.E.B. .flex-slider li .caption-content a{color:#fff;} His insurance business reported more than $400,000 in assets in 1922. In 1922, the name was changed to the Atlanta Life Insurance Company and expanded to several states in the south such as Florida, Kansas, Kentucky and other states. Then, copy and paste the text into your bibliography or works cited list. .header a#pull,.home .header a#pull,.header-wrapper header.smaller a#pull,.page-template-magazine-template.page .header-style-one .header #main-menu-wrapper a#pull:before{ "Herndon was eager to capitalize on it.". Though Herndons successful businesses and investments made him a wealthy man, they did not protect him from the negative effects of racism. } He also owned a hundred or so residential rental properties in the city. After moving to segregated Atlanta, Herndon opened several barbershops including the upscale Crystal Palace in 1902. } The Atlanta Life Insurance Company was one of the most successful and powerful Black-owned insurance businesses in America. As for Atlanta LIfe, it exists today as Atlanta Life Financial Group, located at. font-size:14px; #main-menu-wrapper nav .mega .thunk-widget-menu a:hover,#menu .mega-menu-posts a:hover, As founder and first president of Atlanta Life Insurance Company, Alonzo Herndon displayed a leadership that blended ideals of racial self-help and independent entrepreneurship. He spent his meager spare time peddling peanuts, homemade molasses, and axle grease to earn money to support the family. Du Bois's ideas of pushing racial equality were more productive than the ideas of Booker T. Washington. Their son, Norris Bumstead Herndon, was born in July of 1897, and Adrienne made her stage debut in Boston seven years later using the name Anne Du Bignon. #move-to-top, .th_more_posts a#more_posts:hover, .widget .search-submit:hover, .search .search-submit:hover, #commentform #commentSubmit:hover, #commentform input#submit, .tagcloud a, .mc4wp-form input[type=submit], ul.paging li a:hover, ul.paging li a.current, input[type=submit]:hover{ His holdings eventually encompassed extensive real estate, and one of the nations largest black-owned businesses and most successful insurance companies, Atlanta Life. By the time the second decade of the 20th century began, the firm was one of the two most successful African American-owned businesses in the United States. In 1905, Herndon purchased a failing mutual aid association . .magazine-single-box .header-style-one .header #main-menu-wrapper{ Herndon was born a slave on June 26, 1858, in a small town near Atlanta, Georgia, known as Social Circle. Herndon also used his wealth to support local institutions and causes, such as the Young Mens Christian Association (YMCA), Atlanta University, the First Congregational Church, the Southview Cemetery, and the Atlanta State Savings Bank. Herndon bought the business for $140 in 1905, and when he deposited the sum according to the new state regulatory rules, his company became the first in the state to meet the new requirement. Alonzo Herndon was born on the 26th of June, 1858. DuBois-led Niagara Movement. Later, Herndon opened up his first barbershop in Jonesboro, Georgia. } . } Henderson, Alexa. Today's Georgia Birthdays. At his death in 1927, his real estate was assessed at nearly $325,000. Many people simply call it as Atlanta Life. letter-spacing:0.4px; All Rights Reserved. The legacy of Alonzo Herndon (b. "Alonzo Herndon." background:#f4c85e; } } FUN FACTS. Insurance executive 3. border: 1px solid #f4c85e; 1. Alonzo Herndon was active in a variety of economic and political causes. Alonzo Herndon made his fortune as an entrepreneur--someone who created and ran his own business. } Retrieved February 23, 2023 from Encyclopedia.com: https://www.encyclopedia.com/history/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/herndon-alonzo-franklin. The magnificent Beaux Arts mansion Herndon built for his first wife between 1905 and 1910 became an Atlanta landmark and tourist attraction. Herndon died at home in Atlanta on July 21, 1927, at the age of 69. Civil Rights Movement Mid- to Late 20th Century Topics . 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. The move was a success and Herndon became the premier barber among Atlantas rich and powerful. } Despite several crises in the industry and lean times generally, Atlanta Life under Herndons leadership survived and progressed into the next decades as a secure and prosperous business. 8. His son was more reluctant to follow in his footsteps, however, for Norris Herndon had inherited Adrienne's passion for the stage. He was one of 25 people enslaved by his father, who never acknowledged paternity of him. background:#fff; The firm grew rapidly in the 1920s, expanding its operations. color:#dd9933; 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. About his early life Alonzo writes, "My mother was emancipated when I was seven years old and my brother Tom five years old. Mcauley was, Facts about Charles I of England present the interesting information about the monarch of three kingdoms. } .woocommerce-product-gallery{ opacity: 1 !important; } Herndon died in Atlanta on July 21, 1927 at the age of 69. } @media screen and (max-width: 1024px){ Fax: (215) 761-5515 The article emphasizes his competence and success as a businessman. 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. Death: Immediate Family: Son of Stephen C Herndon and Lucinda Philpot McGowan. Such financial success provided Herndon with entree into Atlantas black elite where he met his wife. Total Assets: $256.89 billion (2001) 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.". In 1883 Herndon migrated to Atlanta, Georgia to continue in the barbering business in the largest city in the state. He was born on June 26, 1858 and his birthplace is Georgia. Alonzo Herndon and Booker T. Washington - Atlanta Life Project. Do you know that he was born into slavery? Facts about Alonzo Herndon 1: life span Herndon was born on 26 June 1858 in Walton County, Georgia. Looking to make his fortune in a place that offered better opportunities for blacks, Herndon relocated to Rome, Georgia, and then Chattanooga, Tennessee, but at one point was so discouraged by his business setbacks that he thought about quitting altogether and taking in a job a plow factory. Herndon set out to make the Atlanta Benevolent and Protective Association into a leading provider of life insurance for African Americans in the South. After some years, Herndon decided to get in on the insurance business. Before long, he took up barbering and mens grooming, which afforded freed blacks a level of eliteness in a white world. 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. . 260 14th St. NW Finally in 1890 he opened his own place in the Markham Hotel, with five chairs. Associated With It was located 40 miles to the east of Atlanta. Father of Larry Herndon; Roy V Herndon and Ora Herndon. } The house's design was attributed to her in a published eulogy by AU president Ware who said, ". Warren, New Jersey 07061 His father was Frank Herndon, a white master. In 1915, he ventured into Alabama, and the acquired another Georgia insurance company, Union Mutual, the largest black-owned insurer in the state. background:#111; AtlantaFi, Alonzo Herndon: 8 Things To Know About The Atlanta Business Pioneer. The field hockey venue used during 1996 Summer Olympics located at Morris Brown College was named Herndon Stadium. Encyclopedias almanacs transcripts and maps. New Georgia Encyclopedia, last modified Jul 14, 2020. https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/business-economy/alonzo-herndon-1858-1927/, Henderson, A. All Stadiums England Premier League Championship League 1 League 2 National League National League North National League South All stadiums in England Premiership League 1 League 2 All grounds in Scotland Wales Atlanta Family Life Insurance Company (Atlanta Life), "Alonzo Herndon, pioneering businessman | African American Registry", Who left what behind: wills of famous blacks; while some left millions, others left nothing but legal problems |, The New Georgia Encyclopedia; Alonzo Herndon, National Park Service--Register of Historic Places; Herndon Home, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Alonzo_Herndon&oldid=1114544299, All Wikipedia articles written in American English, Articles with unsourced statements from June 2020, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 7 October 2022, at 01:36. Herndon supplemented the family income by working as day laborer and peddler of peanuts, homemade molasses, and axle grease. }h2,.two-grid-layout .post-content h2,.standard-layout .post-title h2{ margin: ; Herndon 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. Clergyman, activist, author background:#f4c85e; Herndon said he did this to support and empower Black businesses and their workers. .footer-wrapper td{ Georgia Public Radio GPTV, Dreams Never Realized: The Strike of 1914-15, A Phoenix Reconsumed: The Great Atlanta Fire of 1917, Beyond the Cookies: The Girl Scouts of America, Rebecca Latimer Felton: Senator for a Day, The Empire of Pink Morton: Turn of the Century African-American Mogul, The Mother of the Girl Scouts: Juliette Gordon Low, Welcome South, Brother: Georgia's First Radio Station. Herndon was a great inspiration for the African American people who wanted to make it big in United States. 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. display: block; } 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. Sign up to receive GPB Event announcements via Email. Telephone: (908) 903-2000 An. } background:#f4c85e; .flex-slider li .caption-content h1{ The family entered freedom in destitution. In 1882, he moved to Atlanta, and found a post with a highly regarded local barber. At that time, he was 7 years old. 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. Read more Reading age 8 - 10 years Print length 28 pages Language English Grade level 3 - 4 Dimensions .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, After six months Herndon purchased half interest in the shop, entering into a partnership with one of the few free Blacks operating barbering establishments since before the Civil War. Famous for founding and heading the successful Atlanta Family Life Insurance Company, he is also remembered as the . 2. color:#999; 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. The Herndon Home is a historic house museum and National Historic Landmark at 587 University Place NW, in Atlanta, Georgia.An elegant Classical Revival mansion with Beaux Arts influences, it was the home of Alonzo Franklin Herndon (1858-1927), a rags-to-riches success story who was born into slavery, but went on to become Atlanta's first black millionaire as founder and head of the Atlanta . letter-spacing:0.7px; See whats poppin in the ATL! .home.page-template-magazine-template .navigation .menu > li > a:hover{ } 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 font-size:14px; Born into slavery, he belonged to the first generation of successful African American entrepreneurs of the early twentieth century. Herndons barbering business expanded, and by 1904 he owned three shops in Atlanta. Alonzo is originated from United States. When he was strong enough, at age 13, his former masterand biological fatheroffered him a job on the plantation as a farmhand, a position he held for the next seven years. 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. .home .navigation .menu > li > a:hover, .home .navigation ul li a:hover, .home header #main-menu-wrapper .menu-item-has-children > a:hover:after, 20042023 Georgia Humanities, University of Georgia Press. You can visit it in Vine City at 587 University Place NW. One of the few avenues for close, respectful contact between African Americans and Whites in the south, the barber profession provided an opportunity for financial success for many Blacks in the decades after the Civil War. Alonzo wanted to remind himself and others that even though he had become very successful he started out as a slave. 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