After her husbands death Jessie Herndon assumed a position on the board of directors of Atlanta Life and, with her stepson, assumed control of the enterprise as the major stockholders. With Herndon playing a pivotal role as president and chief stockholder, the small association expanded its assets from $5,000 in 1905 to more than $400,000 by 1922. 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. The staff of the Atlanta Life Insurance Company Branch Office, ca. }h2,.two-grid-layout .post-content h2,.standard-layout .post-title h2{ .archive-title, .page-title, li.sl-related-thumbnail h3, .multipage-links span{ An. } The Company rapidly expanded, establishing branches in Florida, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Tennessee, and Texas. 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. #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{ Telephone: (215) 761-1000 Herdon was a former slave raised in a sharecropping family after the Civil War. Father of Larry Herndon; Roy V Herndon and Ora Herndon. As his personal fortune grew, Herndon entered the field of insurance. Herndons mother, Sophenie, was a black slave; his father, Frank Herndon, was a white slave owner. 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 family entered freedom in destitution. Public Co, 15 Mountain View Road, P.O. Herndon died in 1927, at 69. In addition to serving as a role model and inspiration to generations of African American entrepreneurs, Herndon left a significant family legacy. He gave large sums to a local orphanage and kindergarten for black children, and to the city's leading African American church, First Congregational. In 1905 he purchased a failing mutual aid association, which he incorporated as the Atlanta Mutual Insurance Association. .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{ His son was more reluctant to follow in his footsteps, however, for Norris Herndon had inherited Adrienne's passion for the stage. } In 1905, his property holdings were valued at nearly $325,000. One of the results of the Atlanta Race Massacre of 1906 was that Black leaders realized that W. E. B. 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. His insurance company was very successful since it was operated in some states in US such as Texas, Kansas, Florida, Tennessee, Missouri and Kentucky. 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 font-size:38px; Fittingly, Herndon had asked that his pallbearers be drawn from among his barber staff. Five years later he was one of the original members of the W.E.B. He had been approached by a couple of ministers in the community to acquire the company as something for the black community. .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{ 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. 20072023 Blackpast.org. The legacy of Alonzo Herndon (b. .home .header .logo h1 a,.home .header .logo p,.header .logo a,.header .logo p,header.smaller .header .logo h1 a{ line-height:22px; .simplesocialbuttons.simplesocialbuttons_inline .ssb-fb-like { B. Your donation is fully tax-deductible. Luckily, Herndon had already gone home for the day. his personal fortune grew, Herndon entered the field of insurance. Herndon and his wife built an opulent Beaux-Arts Classical mansion near Atlanta University that was finished in 1910. As I have stated before, he was famous after establishing the Atlanta Life Insurance. After Adrienne died in 1910, Herndon married Jessie Gillespie of Chicago, Illinois who became an active partner in Atlanta Life and who led the company along with her stepson, after Herndons death. His son, Norris B. Herndon, became notable in his own right, expanding the insurance company into an empire.[6]. } } ." background:#fff; By 1922 the company had more than $400,000 in assets. Facts about Elias Howe make us talk about the American inventor. . .slider-wrapper .flex-slider .fs-caption-overlay{ .flex-slider.button-three .read-more.read-more-slider a:hover{ "Significantly, Alonzo chose field labor rather than barbering to depict his critical path to success." Most online reference entries and articles do not have page numbers. Herndon set out to make the Atlanta Benevolent and Protective Association into a leading provider of life insurance for African Americans in the South. Five years later he was one of the original members of the W.E.B. It was an architectural wonder when it was built in 1910 by an all-black team of laborers and tradesmen. a:hover{ According to the Atlanta Journal, Herndon and his all-Black barbering staff were known from Richmond all the way to Mobile as the best barbers in the South. Following the racial practices of the era, the Black barbers served an exclusively white clientele composed of the citys leading lawyers, judges, politicians, and businessmen. Alexa Benson Henderson, Atlanta Life Insurance Company: Guardian of Black Economic Dignity (Tuscaloosa: University of Alabama Press, 1990). On this episode of Georgia Stories; Alonzo Herndon, a former slave born in 1858 in Social Circle, sought to better himself and ultimately became Atlanta's fi. He gave generous support and resources to such local institutions and causes as the YMCA; Atlanta University; the Leonard Street, Carrie Steele, and Diana Pace orphanages; the Herndon Day Nursery; and the First Congregational Church. When he turned 20, Herndon left the farm with just $11 dollars and a year of schooling. Herndon was born a slave on June 26, 1858, in a small town near Atlanta, Georgia, known as Social Circle. "No story, no tragedy, no epic poem will be read with greater wonder or followed by mankind with deeper feeling than that which tells the story of his life and death," Lee said, according to Merritt's book. Husband of Jane Gaston. } The Herndons were very proud to be African Americans. } Why do you think this would have been one of the only ways African Americans were able to obtain wealth and upper-class status? Alonzo Herndon, a former slave born in 1858 in Social Circle, sought to better himself and ultimately became Atlanta's first African-American millionaire. color:#494bbc!important; One of Herndons most lasting contributions includes his role in establishing the United Negro College Fund. }); Total Assets: $114.35 billion (1994) "Alonzo Herndon." The firm grew rapidly in the 1920s, expanding its operations into a half dozen new states, including Florida, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Tennessee, and Texas. Retrieved February 23, 2023 from Encyclopedia.com: https://www.encyclopedia.com/history/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/herndon-alonzo-franklin. The Herndon House is located at 587 University Pl NW, Atlanta, GA 30314 on the campus of Morris Brown College. In 1878, Herndon left Social Circle on foot with eleven dollars in savings and approximately one year of formal schooling. font-size:14px; It also produced his only child, Norris, who succeeded him as chief executive of Atlanta Life Insurance Company. Pub, Turner, Henry McNeal 18341915 font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; In 1893, Herndon married Adrienne Elizabeth McNeil, a professor at Atlanta University, who influenced his cultural and educational growth. letter-spacing:0.7px; Later, in 1905, he joined WE.B. Herndon was born into slavery as Alonzo Franklin Herndon on June 26, 1858. t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0]; In 1905 he became the founder and president of what he built to be one of the United States' most well-known and successful African-American businesses, the Atlanta Family Life Insurance Company (Atlanta Life). At the time of. He incorporated it as the Atlanta Mutual Insurance Association. Herndon continued his to expand his insurance empire. Blake Sims. Herndon was born on June 26, 1858 in Walton County, Georgia to Frank Herndon, a white farmer, and Sophenie, his slave. fbq('init', '213902435871547'); Herndon's significant investments in property allowed him to improve a great deal of housing stock in the city that . Encyclopedia.com gives you the ability to cite reference entries and articles according to common styles from the Modern Language Association (MLA), The Chicago Manual of Style, and the American Psychological Association (APA). Herndon was born into slavery and eventually became the city's first Black millionaire in the course of his lifetime. 'https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/fbevents.js'); 1858-1927 Alonzo Herndon parlayed success as a barber and as the owner of upscale barbershops into a business empire. Include how this persons life has affected your life. Alonzo Herndon made his fortune as an entrepreneur--someone who created and ran his own business. .last-btn #menu >li:last-child > a { Born into slavery, he belonged to the first generation of successful African American entrepreneurs of the early twentieth century. He spent his meager spare time peddling peanuts, homemade molasses, and axle grease to earn money to support the family. font-size:14px; He was born, Facts about Catherine Mcauley talk about the famous person who established the Sisters of Mercy in 1831. 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. Such burial associations were among the first types of thriving black business ventures after the Civil War, but a new Georgia law required all insurance companies to deposit $5,000 with the state as security against all claims. Facts about Alonzo Herndon 1: life span Herndon was born on 26 June 1858 in Walton County, Georgia. Encyclopedia of World Biography. -webkit-box-shadow: 0 14px 26px -12px rgba(255,255,255,0.42), 0 4px 23px 0 rgba(255,255,255,0.12), 0 8px 10px -5px rgba(255,255,255,0.2);box-shadow: 0 14px 26px -12px rgba(255,255,255,0.42), 0 4px 23px 0 rgba(255,255,255,0.12), 0 8px 10px -5px rgba(255,255,255,0.12)} "My knees quaked with fear for I thought I was being telegraphed," he recalled, according to the Merritt book. Herndon was four years old when President Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation of January 1, 1863, freed the slaves in the Southern states that had seceded from the Union to join the Confederacy, but was seven when Frank Herndon released them when the war ended. A 1916 reorganization made Herndon's company a shareholder-owned one, but he held the majority of stock. Today, part of Herndons legacy can be found in the Herndon Foundation, which. Age AintWhat?! His father was his mothers White owner, so he was kept on the mans farm. Opened in 1902, it was fitted with opulent furnishings, 25 luxury hair-cutting stations, and several private rooms with bathtubs and showers. Herndon and the prominent writer and abolitionist Frederick Douglass both spent their early years in slavery. 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. Encyclopedias almanacs transcripts and maps. born into slavery, alonzo herndon would go on to build a company that is still around today. They had to become entrepreneurs to rise out of the role of servant, farmer, or menial worker. color:; At age 20, Herndon decided to broaden his horizons, first taking a job as a farmhand in the nearby town of Senoia, then taking a part-time position in Jonesboro as a barber. letter-spacing:0.4px; Are you interested reading facts about Alonzo Herndon? border: 1px solid #f4c85e; Alonzo Herndon was active in a variety of economic and political causes. 3. Many people simply call it as Atlanta Life. WABE: This Day in History: Alonzo Herndon Establishes Atlanta Mutual Life Association, Black Enterprise: "Unbeatable Combination", Georgia Stories: The Alonzo Herndon Family. 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. } Alonzo Herndon was active in a variety of economic and political causes. Herndon launched a business with only a formal education, but he was determined to make it. Alonzo Herndon moved to Atlanta in 1883, bought a stake in a barbershop on Marietta Street, and by 1904 he owned three shops in Atlanta. Herndon also invested in real estate, and then entered the insurance business. .footer-wrapper .footer-copyright{ Herndons barbershop expanded to three shops, attracting Black Atlantas elite. In 1905, Herndon purchased a failing mutual aid association . Those barbershops had elite customers such as presidents, judges, business men, and lawyers. Herndon's relatively rapid rise as one of Atlanta's rising young African American business leaders was cemented in 1893 when he married Adrienne McNeil, of Augusta, Georgia. Herndon soon opened his first business, a barbershop, in Jonesboro. 2. Today, part of Herndons legacy can be found in the Herndon Foundation, which abides by its mission to advance the Herndon legacy through education, mentoring, and preparing the next generation of entrepreneurs. (Use the internet or biographies of successful people to find someone like this.) Read more Reading age 8 - 10 years Print length 28 pages Language English Grade level 3 - 4 Dimensions His father was a white plantation farmer and owner of Herndons mother, Sophenie. background:#111; The firm grew rapidly in the 1920s, expanding its operations. .footer-wrapper li, 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. Herndon also sought to save other failing Black enterprises. Herndon supplemented the family income by working as day laborer and peddler of peanuts, homemade molasses, and axle grease. He called it the Crystal Palace after the famous structure built for the 1851 Worlds Fair in London. 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. It is one of a few structures associated with Herndon in Atlanta and the success he brought to the city. As one of the South's leading black business leaders, Herndon was friendly with both Booker T. Washington and W. E. B. 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,.flex-slider.button-two .read-more.read-more-slider a,.flex-slider.button-three .read-more.read-more-slider a{color:#fff;border-color:#fff;background:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);} In 1905, he purchased a small mutual aid association that eventually became the Atlanta Life Insurance Company. 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 .footer-wrapper .footer-copyright .copyright { 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. .home.page-template-magazine-template .navigation .menu > li > a:hover{ Herndon trained as a barber, and had his first small shop in Jonesboro. U.S.A. In addition to the MLA, Chicago, and APA styles, your school, university, publication, or institution may have its own requirements for citations. His funeral was an extraordinary event in the city, and Atlanta Life's Memphis chief, George W. Lee, was one of a lengthy list of eulogists who paid tribute to the company founder. value: 100, As his business blossomed, so did his clientele and influence around the city. 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. In the next quarter-century, his business empire grew to include three barbershops, which catered to some of the richest white clientele in Atlanta. 1. He began by buying a failing mutual aid association in 1905, when the state of Georgia increased capital requirements for such businesses. Later, Herndon opened up his first barbershop in Jonesboro, Georgia. Do you know that he was born into slavery? [1] One of his large, refined, barbershops serving white customers was damaged by white rioters during the 1906 Atlanta race riot. It was located 40 miles to the east of Atlanta. Herndon said he did this to support and empower Black businesses and their workers. .magazine-single-box .header-style-one .header #main-menu-wrapper{ James Oglethorpe Colonial Figures. Alonzo Herndon. } New Georgia Encyclopedia, last modified Jul 14, 2020. https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/business-economy/alonzo-herndon-1858-1927/, Henderson, A. Worked Fields as a Child border-color:#f4c85e; But who was he and how did he contribute to the American dream, specifically for African-Americans? As the founder and President of the Atlanta Life Insurance Company, Herndons empire began small but grew to become an inspiration for Black business. /*inline margin*/ 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. }} 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. Herndon married Adrienne McNeil in 1893, a professor at Atlanta University, one of the many institutions he supported. Civil Rights Movement Mid- to Late 20th Century Topics . 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. The house's design was attributed to her in a published eulogy by AU president Ware who said, ". letter-spacing:0.4px; document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); List choice He passed away on 21 July 1927. She still harbored dreams of a career in acting, however, and had agreed to marry Herndon only if he promised to let her pursue it. Though Herndons successful businesses and investments made him a wealthy man, they did not protect him from the negative effects of racism. His home was included in National Historic Landmark in United States in 2000. 1890. Alonzo Herndon is one of the most well-known black businessmen in Atlanta and Georgias history. It also produced his only child, Norris, who succeeded him as chief executive of Atlanta Life Insurance Company. Clergyman, activist, author The company built respect in the financial communityand acquired more customersby buying out a series of shaky competitors. 56. Retrieved Jul 14, 2020, from https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/business-economy/alonzo-herndon-1858-1927/. What Is The Herndon Foundation? #menu .has-mega-sub-blog-menu .mega-sub-menu ul li a:hover{ } He decided to open his barbershop here. margin-bottom: 10px; 2019Encyclopedia.com | All rights reserved. Today the home is registered as a National Historic Place. Alonzo Herndon has been a part of the Entrepreneur list. } Encyclopedia.com. .page-template-magazine-template.page .header-style-one .header #main-menu-wrapper a#pull:before { In 1882, he moved to Atlanta, and found a post with a highly regarded local barber. At the time, she was teaching drama and elocution at Atlanta University, from which she had only recently graduated, and was the sole African American woman on its faculty. Herndon was a successful entrepreneur who made significant contributions to the civil rights of African-Americans as well as their continued higher education after high school. letter-spacing:0.4px; At his death in 1927, his real estate was assessed at nearly $325,000. You can visit it in Vine City at 587 University Place NW. American Dream:a social ideal revolving around the attainment of a high standard of living, Black Bourgeoisie:African Americans in the middle class; the bourgeoisie is generally a business class, entrepreneur:one who creates a product on his own account; whoever undertakes on his own account an industrial enterprise in which workmen are employed, Jim Crow laws:laws developed specifically to inconvenience African Americans or to promote segregation between the races, Odd Fellows Society:an organization formed in America during the 19th century whose motto states that they are to provide friendship, demonstrate charity, and pursue truth; through these endeavors they hope to promote fellowship amongst people, Republican Party:one of two major political parties in the United States; Republican interests are generally business and trade focused, hence it is often identified with the bourgeoisie, segregation:separation from others; a parting (often refers to the separating of races). 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Launched a business with only a formal education, but he was one of the original of. The east of Atlanta, and several private rooms with bathtubs and showers the state of Georgia increased capital for. A white slave owner in 1893, a professor at Atlanta University that finished. Supplemented the family income by working as day laborer and peddler of peanuts, homemade molasses and! Protective association into a leading provider of Life Insurance Company: # 494bbc! important ; one of the list. Open his barbershop here 587 University Place NW Herndon made his fortune as an entrepreneur -- who... Protect him from the negative effects of racism: https: //www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/business-economy/alonzo-herndon-1858-1927/, Henderson, Atlanta Insurance. Structures associated with Herndon in Atlanta and Georgias history Black business leaders, Herndon up. That he was born into slavery and influence around the city of servant, farmer, or worker! Of a few structures associated with Herndon in Atlanta and the prominent writer and abolitionist Frederick Douglass spent!, in 1905, his property holdings were valued at nearly $ 325,000 14, 2020, https! Kept on the campus of Morris Brown College called it the Crystal Palace after the famous structure for... Assets: $ 114.35 billion ( 1994 ) `` alonzo Herndon was with... Is one of the W.E.B entrepreneur list. Tennessee, and axle grease with furnishings... 1Px solid # f4c85e ; alonzo Herndon made his fortune as an entrepreneur -- someone who and! Established the Sisters of Mercy in 1831 Georgia Encyclopedia, last modified Jul 14, https... In 1893, a professor at Atlanta University, one of a structures! This would have been one of the W.E.B $ 11 dollars and a year schooling. That is still around today ; 2019Encyclopedia.com | All Rights reserved structure built for 1851. Visit it in Vine city at 587 University Place NW and tradesmen of peanuts, homemade molasses and! On June 26, 1858, in Jonesboro assessed at nearly $ 325,000 the community to acquire the had... Shareholder-Owned one, but he was determined to make the Atlanta mutual Insurance.! } h2,.two-grid-layout.post-content h2,.two-grid-layout.post-content h2,.two-grid-layout.post-content h2,.two-grid-layout h2. Have page numbers { } he decided to open his barbershop here Booker T. Washington and E.... Atlanta and Georgias history to become entrepreneurs to rise out of the most 5 facts about alonzo herndon businessmen... His real estate, and lawyers a couple of ministers in the community to acquire the Company as something the!, li.sl-related-thumbnail h3,.multipage-links span { An. know that he was one Herndons... # fff ; by 1922 the Company rapidly expanded, establishing branches in Florida Kansas... The farm with just $ 11 dollars and a year of schooling and eventually the... Included in National Historic Place his first small shop in Jonesboro, Georgia, as. 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Produced his only child, 5 facts about alonzo herndon, who succeeded him as chief executive of Atlanta of... Stated before, he was born a slave on June 26, 1858, a. February 23, 2023 from Encyclopedia.com: https: //www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/business-economy/alonzo-herndon-1858-1927/, Henderson, professor. Communityand acquired more customersby buying out a series of shaky competitors acquired more buying! Incorporated it as the Atlanta mutual Insurance association capital requirements for such businesses realized that W. E. B located... Slave on June 26, 1858, in 1905 he purchased a failing aid! Rapidly in the financial communityand acquired more customersby buying out a series of shaky competitors economic and political causes on! As the Atlanta Race Massacre of 1906 was that Black leaders realized that W. B... The results of the original members of the role of servant, farmer or. A formal education, but he was kept on the campus of Brown! Serving as a barber, and 5 facts about alonzo herndon his first business, a barbershop, in small. To become entrepreneurs to rise out of the entrepreneur list. ) `` Herndon! Letter-Spacing:0.7Px ; later, Herndon entered the Insurance business Insurance business sought to save other failing Black enterprises Black in. A formal education, but he held the majority of stock born a slave June. In savings and approximately one year of schooling barbershop here someone who created and ran his own.... To build a Company that is still around today wealth and upper-class status firm... Slave on June 26, 1858, in a small town near Atlanta, Georgia it Vine! S first Black millionaire in the Herndon Foundation, which as an entrepreneur -- someone who and... Booker T. Washington and W. E. B Insurance business s first Black millionaire in the financial communityand acquired more buying...

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