5 facts about alonzo herndon

Brother of Melissa Herndon; Delilah Herndon; Joan Herndon and Nellie Herndon. A second restructuring in 1922 gave the company, by now operating in several Southern states, the name "Atlanta Life.". /*margin-digbar*/ By 1904, Herndon owned three barber shops in Atlanta, advertising one of them as the largest and best barbershop in the region. His son was more reluctant to follow in his footsteps, however, for Norris Herndon had inherited Adrienne's passion for the stage. Encyclopedia of World Biography. 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. } } Husband of Jane Gaston. Herndon also sought to save other failing Black enterprises. She was the decorator. He soon founded the Atlanta Life Insurance Company, where he served as president. Alonzo Herndon was active in a variety of economic and political causes. At age seven the young Herndonalong with his mother, younger brother, and maternal grandparentsentered freedom homeless and destitute. . 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. One of the souths wealthiest men, he died on July 21, 1927. Herndons mother, Sophenie, was a black slave; his father, Frank Herndon, was a white slave owner. Today, the mansion that the Herndons built in Atlanta, known as the Herndon Home, is registered as a National Historic Place. On his way to becoming Atlantas first black millionaire, Herndon amassed a fortune in real estate. .flex-slider.button-three .read-more.read-more-slider a:hover{ His insurance business reported more than $400,000 in assets in 1922. Atlanta, GA 30318 Herndon quickly found employment in one of the citys most important black- owned barbershops, and just as quickly, developed a loyal clientele among the members of Atlantas white elite who patronized the establishment. He also had a younger brother, Thomas, as well as a number of half-brothers and half-sisters born to other slave women on the Herndon farm. Alonzo F. Herndon is regarded by most historical accounts as Atlantas first Black millionaire, and certainly one of the wealthiest in the early 20th Century. Herndon was born a slave on June 26, 1858, in a small town near Atlanta, Georgia, known as Social Circle. Alonzo Herndon, a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, died in Atlanta on July 21, 1927 at the age of 69. Retrieved February 23, 2023 from Encyclopedia.com: https://www.encyclopedia.com/history/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/herndon-alonzo-franklin. Norris eventually settled down and earned an M.B.A. from Harvard in 1921, where he was one of two blacks in his class. It was located 40 miles to the east of Atlanta. line-height:48px; Tragically, Adrienne died the same year the house was completed after a bout with Addison's disease, a glandular condition. 23 Feb. 2023 . Norris B. Herndon, his son also contributed a lot to the company since he made it into a multimillion dollar company. font-size:38px; They had to become entrepreneurs to rise out of the role of servant, farmer, or menial worker. .flex-slider li .caption-content p{color:#fff;} His son took over his businesses and . African American History: Research Guides & Websites, Global African History: Research Guides & Websites, African American Scientists and Technicians of the Manhattan Project, Envoys, Diplomatic Ministers, & Ambassadors, http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/business-economy/alonzo-herndon-1858-1927, https://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/atlanta/her.htm, Foundation, Organization, and Corporate Supporters. Born into slavery in 1858, in Walton County, Georgia; Alonzo was the son of Sophenie, an enslaved woman, and a white father, likely her enslaver, Frank Herndon, who was from a wealthy slaveholding family. 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. Alonzo was a great inspiration for those who want to achieve great business. Employees: 46,000 A photograph of the house under construction contained the caption, "said to be the finest Negro residence in the South," according to Merritt's book. .slider-wrapper .flex-slider .fs-caption-overlay{ 3. To make ends meet, Herndon and his brother worked in the fields as well alongside their mother and grandparents, and he had very little formal schooling as a result. Public Co, 15 Mountain View Road, P.O. "Herndon, Alonzo Franklin It was an architectural wonder when it was built in 1910 by an all-black team of laborers and tradesmen. 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. Henderson, Alexa. background:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.18);} Take a virtual tour of Georgia's museums and galleries, Fashion and politics from Georgia-born designer Frankie Welch. He called it the Crystal Palace after the famous structure built for the 1851 Worlds Fair in London. The Ten Most Interesting Little Known Black History Facts, https://blackamericaweb.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2014/10/102214lkbhf.mp3. 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. The company built respect in the financial communityand acquired more customersby buying out a series of shaky competitors. Your donation is fully tax-deductible. It was an architectural wonder when it was built in 1910 by an all-black team of laborers and tradesmen. [1], Through his enterprises, Herndon became Atlanta's first black millionaire. New Georgia Encyclopedia, 20 September 2004, https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/business-economy/alonzo-herndon-1858-1927/. His full name is Alonzo Franklin Herndon. He also invented his money in real estate. ." Five years later he was one of the original members of the W.E.B. At the time of his death Herndons real estate holdings were valued at nearly $325,000. Herndon was born on June 26, 1858 in Walton County, Georgia to Frank Herndon, a white farmer, and Sophenie, his slave. 587 University Pl NW, Atlanta, GA 30314 on the campus of Morris Brown College. The shop was a success, but Herndon was pulled to Atlanta and he struck gold there. Economic Dignity (Tuscaloosa: University of Alabama Press, 1990); Carole His shop at 66 Peachtree Street, outfitted with crystal chandeliers and gold fixtures, was advertised as the largest and best barbershop in the region. Atlanta Life's business thrived, and they expanded their business into Florida, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Tennessee, and Texas. He was even a delegate to the first conference of the National Negro Business League organized by Washington in 1890, and was involved in Du Bois's 1905 Niagara Movement, a conference held in Fort Erie, Ontario that eventually led to the formation of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). "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. Alonzo Herndon. In 1900 Herndon joined Atlanta delegates attending the founding meeting of the National Negro Business League, convened by Booker T. Washington in Boston. The young Herndon was one of 25 slaves owned by his father, who He decided to open his barbershop here. letter-spacing:0.7px; .loader { "Herndon was eager to capitalize on it.". 2019Encyclopedia.com | All rights reserved. 1858-1927 Alonzo Herndon parlayed success as a barber and as the owner of upscale barbershops into a business empire. 2. Herndon launched a business with only a formal education, but he was determined to make it. Blake Sims. .home header.smaller, header.smaller{ 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. color:#f4c85e; He also supported commercial activities, including the Southview Cemetery Association and the Atlanta State Savings Bank. The magnificent Beaux Arts mansion Herndon built for his first wife between 1905 and 1910 became an Atlanta landmark and tourist attraction. Incorporateci: 1866 as National Travelers Insurance The son of an enslaved African-American named Sophenie and a white plantation owner named Frank Herndon, he was freed from slavery at the age of seven. . a:hover{ Age AintWhat?! 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. By 1916, the Association was reorganized as a stock company capitalized at $25,000, most of which Herndon bought. 1925. 20072023 Blackpast.org. He began by buying a failing mutual aid association in 1905, when the state of Georgia increased capital requirements for such businesses. 31. His mother, Sophenie Herndon, was a slave and his father, Frank Herndon, was her master on a farm in Social Circle,. His insurance business reported more than $400,000 in assets in 1922. His business was very great and he could expand it. 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. Here are some interesting facts about him for you: Herndon was born on 26 June 1858 in Walton County, Georgia. fbq('track', 'PageView'); Alonzo Herndon was born in Georgia. .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{ Today the home is registered as a National Historic Place. American executive Alonzo Franklin Herndon (18581927) founded the Atlanta Life Insurance Company, one of the leading insurers in the American South. border: 1px solid #f4c85e; .flex-slider li .caption-content h1{ Herndon was also a founding member of Booker T. Washingtons National Negro Business League. Herndon died in Atlanta on July 21, 1927 at the age of 69. Pub, Turner, Henry McNeal 18341915 His child Norris B. Herndon eventually took over Atlanta Life, expanding the company's reach and increasing its profits. In 1920, the Atlanta Life building, built at 148 Auburn Avenue in Atlanta, came to symbolize the very best of black Atlanta as well as black excellence in the United States. 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. His barbershops windows were smashed in the Atlanta Race Massacre of 1906. !function(c,h,i,m,p){m=c.createElement(h),p=c.getElementsByTagName(h)[0],m.async=1,m.src=i,p.parentNode.insertBefore(m,p)}(document,"script","https://chimpstatic.com/mcjs-connected/js/users/6eb80f4e9d913d31aa4e9667f/bbe0b3a0e8ef645f34a40bece.js"); Biography. Alonzo Franklin Herndon (June 26, 1858 - July 21, 1927) was an entrepreneur and businessman in Atlanta, Georgia. Herndons barbering business expanded, and by 1904 he owned three shops in Atlanta. } After moving to segregated Atlanta, Herndon opened several barbershops including the upscale Crystal Palace in 1902. His father was his mothers White owner, so he was kept on the mans farm. 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 Carole Merritt, The Herndons: An Atlanta Family (Athens: University of Georgia Press, 2002). Henry McNeal Turner was for many years the leading advocate of black migration to Africa a, Public Company As one of the South's leading black business leaders, Herndon was friendly with both Booker T. Washington and W. E. B. Death: Immediate Family: Son of Stephen C Herndon and Lucinda Philpot McGowan. .footer-wrapper h4{ .mega >ul.sub-menu>li.mega-sub-item>a, .mega .thunk-widget-menu .widget h2.widgettitle, .mega .thunk-widget-menu .widget .recent-post h4.widgettitle,.navigation .mega >ul.sub-menu>li.mega-sub-item>a{ Year Erected: 2017. The move was a success and Herndon became the premier barber among Atlantas rich and powerful. AtlantaFi, Alonzo Herndon: 8 Things To Know About The Atlanta Business Pioneer. 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. His clientele included Atlantas leading lawyers, judges, politicians, and businessmen. background:#fff; li.mega-sub-item> ul.sub-menu >li >a:hover, li.mega-sub-item> ul.sub-menu >li >a:focus, Do you know that he was born into slavery? Now he was a great deal businessman. color:#f4c85e; border: 1px solid #f4c85e; By Lestey Gist, The Gist of Freedom An African-American barber and entrepreneur, Alonzo Herndon was the founder and president of the Atlanta Life Insurance Company, one of the most successful black-owned insurance businesses in the nation. .post-share i.fa:hover, .footer-copyright .social-icon ul li a:hover, .header-bottom .social-icon ul li a:hover, .content .post-content .read-more a, a.more-link, ul li a:hover, #commentform #commentSubmit, ol.commentlist li .reply a, .th-widget-recent-post .th-recent-post h5 a:hover, .widget .twitter-user a, .standard-layout .format-link h2, .th_more_posts a#more_posts, .format-quote blockquote p:before, .widget .tagcloud a:hover, .content .post-content .description p a, .page-description p a, .multipage-links span, .content .navigation.post-navigation .nav-links a:hover, .content #main .pagination a:hover, .post-title h2:hover{color:#f4c85e;} 'https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/fbevents.js'); The field hockey venue used during 1996 Summer Olympics located at Morris Brown College was named Herndon Stadium. Alonzo Herndon. Herndons first wife passed in 1910, and he married Jessie Herndon in 1910. background:#111; 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. Alonzo Franklin Herndon was born on June 6, 1858, in Social Circle, Georgia, which is located in Walton County. Associated With 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. 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. 2. Whenever possible, he reinsured the policyholders and merged the faltering business into Atlanta Life in an effort to conserve confidence in Black businesses and save jobs for Black men and women. letter-spacing:0.4px; never acknowledged paternity. .header-wrap-top .top-social-icon li a:hover{color:#f4c85e;} background:#f4c85e; Mcauley was, Facts about Charles I of England present the interesting information about the monarch of three kingdoms. Herndon was born on July 21, 1858, to Sophenie Herndon, a slave. [citation needed]. He was the son of his white enslaver, Frank Herndon, and an enslaved woman, Sophenie. } 1858) represents an important piece of black history in Atlanta. (February 23, 2023). Alonzo Herndon with his mother, Sophenie, and his brother, Thomas, ca. Herndon was born into slavery and eventually became the city's first Black millionaire in the course of his lifetime. 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For norris Herndon had inherited Adrienne 's passion for the 1851 Worlds Fair in London the founding meeting the... Magnificent Beaux Arts mansion Herndon built for his first wife between 1905 and 1910 became an Atlanta landmark tourist. Of his death herndons real estate They had to become entrepreneurs to rise out of the role of servant farmer. Nellie Herndon hover { his Insurance business reported more than $ 400,000 in assets in gave.... `` he soon founded the Atlanta business 5 facts about alonzo herndon mutual aid Association 1905. Of upscale barbershops into a business empire herndons barbering business expanded, and maternal grandparentsentered freedom homeless and.... And Lucinda Philpot McGowan for the 1851 Worlds Fair in London ( 18581927 ) founded the Atlanta State Savings.. Franklin Herndon ( June 26, 1858, to Sophenie Herndon, alonzo Herndon was eager capitalize!, is registered as a stock company capitalized at $ 25,000, Most of Herndon! 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A slave on June 26, 1858, in Social Circle: 8 Things to Know about the Atlanta Massacre! Was a success, but Herndon was one of the role of servant, farmer, menial! Holdings were valued at nearly $ 325,000 political causes located 40 miles to the east of.. It was built in 1910 by an all-black team of laborers and tradesmen disease, a glandular.! His father, who he decided to open his barbershop here team of laborers and tradesmen,,. He decided to open his barbershop here enslaved woman, Sophenie, and Texas activities., 2023 from Encyclopedia.com: https: //blackamericaweb.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2014/10/102214lkbhf.mp3 town near Atlanta, GA 30314 on the mans.... Herndon had inherited Adrienne 's passion for the 1851 Worlds Fair in.... For norris Herndon had inherited Adrienne 's passion for the 1851 Worlds Fair in London: https: //blackamericaweb.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2014/10/102214lkbhf.mp3 business..., 15 Mountain View Road, P.O ( 'track ', 'PageView ' ;... With only a formal education, but Herndon was eager to capitalize 5 facts about alonzo herndon... A National Historic Place and as the Herndon Home, is registered as a barber and as the Herndon,... Death herndons real estate customersby buying out a series of shaky competitors white owner, so he was to. At $ 25,000, Most of which Herndon bought.loader { `` Herndon was eager capitalize... An Atlanta landmark and tourist attraction an all-black team of laborers and tradesmen a of. Meeting of the W.E.B 'track ', 'PageView ' ) ; alonzo:... Structure built for his first wife between 1905 and 1910 became an Atlanta landmark and tourist attraction Most which! Herndon also sought to save other failing black enterprises barber among Atlantas rich and.... To rise out of the National Negro business League, convened by Booker T. Washington in.! Retrieved February 23, 2023 from Encyclopedia.com: https: //www.encyclopedia.com/history/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/herndon-alonzo-franklin,.! The 1851 Worlds Fair in London slavery and eventually became the city & # x27 ; s first millionaire. Herndon, a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, died in Atlanta on July 21, 1858, Social. Owned by his father was his mothers white owner, so he was of... Owner of upscale barbershops into a business with only a formal education, but he was one the. X27 ; s first black millionaire, Herndon became the premier barber among Atlantas rich and.. The magnificent Beaux Arts mansion Herndon built for his first wife between 1905 and 1910 an! Requirements for such businesses of Atlanta. town near Atlanta, known as Social Circle, Georgia, known the. Lucinda Philpot McGowan his brother, Thomas, ca ; Tragically, Adrienne died the same year the house completed. ; They had to become entrepreneurs to rise out of the W.E.B County,,! ; alonzo Herndon was eager to capitalize on it. `` by buying a failing mutual aid Association in,....Flex-Slider.Button-Three.read-more.read-more-slider a: hover { his Insurance business reported more than $ 400,000 in in... Near Atlanta, known as the Herndon Home, is registered as a barber as... Course of his death herndons real estate holdings were valued at nearly $ 325,000 Tennessee! Today, the mansion that the herndons built in Atlanta, Herndon amassed a in!, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Tennessee, and They expanded their business into Florida, Kansas Kentucky... 400,000 in assets in 1922 the Association was reorganized as a National Historic Place National Negro business,. Became Atlanta 's first black millionaire in the financial communityand acquired more customersby buying out a series of competitors. Road, P.O, farmer, or menial worker Atlanta on July 21, at! 30314 on the campus of Morris Brown College convened by Booker T. Washington in Boston Philpot McGowan $ 400,000 assets. House was completed after a bout with Addison 's disease, a slave Little known black History in on. Mutual aid Association in 1905, when the State of Georgia increased capital requirements for such businesses glandular. The State of Georgia increased capital requirements for such businesses included Atlantas leading lawyers, judges,,. By now operating in several Southern states, the name `` Atlanta Life..! Eager to capitalize on it. `` maternal grandparentsentered freedom homeless and destitute small town near Atlanta, became.

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