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. 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. Alonzo was born on June 26, 1858 in Georgia. Incorporated: 1967 } Overcoming poverty and illiteracy, he had risen in his lifetime from slavery to become the wealthy head of a leading Black business that has survived into the twenty-first century and is consistently listed among the top Black financial companies as ranked by Black Enterprise magazine. 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. color:#f4c85e; 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.". Norris eventually settled down and earned an M.B.A. from Harvard in 1921, where he was one of two blacks in his class. In 1858, Alonzo Franklin Herndon was born into slavery in Walton County. 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(? 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. }h2,.two-grid-layout .post-content h2,.standard-layout .post-title h2{ Herndon worked on his fathers plantation near Social Circle, Georgia. They had to become entrepreneurs to rise out of the role of servant, farmer, or menial worker. . At the time of his death in 1927, he was also Atlanta 's wealthiest Black citizen, owning more property than any other African American. line-height:48px; Why do you think this would have been one of the only ways African Americans were able to obtain wealth and upper-class status? 1. @media screen and (max-width: 1024px){ Do you know that he was born into slavery? The other was John Merricks North Carolina Mutual Insurance Company. .magazine-single-box .header-style-one .header #main-menu-wrapper{ Alonzo Herndon was active in a variety of economic and political causes. Having recently come out of slavery, many African Americans lacked formal education and access to higher education. In 1905, he purchased a small mutual aid association that eventually became the Atlanta Life Insurance Company. Mrs. Herndon and her stepson worked together in leading Atlanta Life to even greater success. Steve Jobs. [citation needed]. Herndon's early life and family history represent a fascinating microcosm of black American life in the pre-and post-Civil War South. Subscribe to ournews alerts here, follow uson Twitterand like us onFacebook. Follow us onTwitter. James Oglethorpe Colonial Figures. 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. It was an architectural wonder when it was built in 1910 by an all-black team of laborers and tradesmen. Civil Rights Movement Mid- to Late 20th Century Topics . display: block; .upcoming-events li { Herndons barbering business expanded, and by 1904 he owned three shops in Atlanta. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. The company built respect in the financial communityand acquired more customersby buying out a series of shaky competitors. In 1922 the company had achieved legal reserve status, a position enjoyed by only four other Black insurance companies at that time. At the time of his death Herndons real estate holdings were valued at nearly $325,000. She was sent adrift in the world with her two children and a corded bed and [a] few quilts. color:#606060; Herndon was born into slavery as Alonzo Franklin Herndon on June 26, 1858. 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. } Herndons barbershop expanded to three shops, attracting Black Atlantas elite. 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. .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{ Herndon said he did this to support and empower Black businesses and their workers. 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. Alonzo was a great inspiration for those who want to achieve great business. The young Herndon was one of 25 slaves owned by his father, who (Use the internet or biographies of successful people to find someone like this.) Within the Cite this article tool, pick a style to see how all available information looks when formatted according to that style. #main-menu-wrapper nav .mega .thunk-widget-menu .menu a:hover { He was one of 25 people enslaved by his father, who never acknowledged paternity of him. Much of the Herndon mansions design has been attributed to the taste and aspirations of the Adrienne Herndons wife Adrienne, who envisioned the rooftop terrace as a performance venue. 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. U.S.A. Box 1615 Famous for founding and heading the successful Atlanta Family Life Insurance Company, he is also remembered as the city of Atlanta's first African-American millionaire. He had been approached by a couple of ministers in the community to acquire the company as something for the black community. font-size:38px; In the next quarter-century, his business empire grew to include three barbershops, which catered to some of the richest white clientele in Atlanta. Now he was a great deal businessman. .header-wrap-top .top-social-icon li a:hover{color:#f4c85e;} In 1905, his property holdings were valued at nearly $325,000. .loader { #main-menu-wrapper nav .mega .thunk-widget-menu a:hover,#menu .mega-menu-posts a:hover, "Alonzo Herndon." letter-spacing:0.7px; A 1916 reorganization made Herndon's company a shareholder-owned one, but he held the majority of stock. His son was more reluctant to follow in his footsteps, however, for Norris Herndon had inherited Adrienne's passion for the stage. Eventually he acquired more than 100 houses, a large block of commercial property on Auburn Avenue, and a large estate in Tavares, Florida. 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. } Henderson, Alexa. Get facts about Alan Sugar here. He also became the president of this company. Encyclopedia of World Biography. Du Bois Niagara Movement. (February 23, 2023). FUN FACTS. Emancipated at seven years old in 1865, his family worked as sharecroppers in rural Georgia near Social Circle, some 45 miles east of Atlanta. line-height:22px; ." Telephone: (215) 761-1000 Herndon's significant investments in property allowed him to improve a great deal of housing stock in the city that . The Herndons were very proud to be African Americans. 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. Alonzo Franklin Herndon was born on June 6, 1858, in Social Circle, Georgia, which is located in Walton County. His child Norris B. Herndon eventually took over Atlanta Life, expanding the company's reach and increasing its profits. "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. 3. color:#494bbc; .home.page-template-magazine-template .navigation .menu > li > a:hover{ 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. 2. One of the souths wealthiest men, he died on July 21, 1927. Husband of Jane Gaston. 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. Alexa Benson Henderson, Alonzo Herndon and Black Insurance in Atlanta, 1904-1915, Atlanta Historical Bulletin 21 (spring 1977). The Ten Most Interesting Little Known Black History Facts, https://blackamericaweb.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2014/10/102214lkbhf.mp3. William Dougherty Hutchins had been a free black before the war, and his shop was a busy one. Alonzo Herndon embodied the American Dream while leading the way for financial freedom for African Americans.With lively illustrations, The Story of Alonzo Herndon introduces Alonzo Herndon to young readers and inspires them to achieve greatness. .footer-wrapper .footer-copyright .copyright { .flex-slider.button-three .read-more.read-more-slider a:hover{ Herndon was born on June 26, 1858 in Walton County, Georgia to Frank Herndon, a white farmer, and Sophenie, his slave. font-size:14px; background:#111; His son took over his businesses and . Du Bois. Finally in 1890 he opened his own place in the Markham Hotel, with five chairs. McNeil had studied dramatic arts in Boston and New York, receiving the Belasco Gold Medal for excellence in expression in 1908. Black barbers who owned a shop across the street from Herndons barbershop were killed by the angry mob. Got an event or know of something opening in and around Atlanta? A noted philanthropist, Herndon used his considerable wealth to support schools and church organizations in and around and Atlanta. color:#494bbc!important; The field hockey venue used during 1996 Summer Olympics located at Morris Brown College was named Herndon Stadium. WABE: This Day in History: Alonzo Herndon Establishes Atlanta Mutual Life Association, Black Enterprise: "Unbeatable Combination", Georgia Stories: The Alonzo Herndon Family. Facts about Alonzo Herndon 2: fame As I have stated before, he was famous after establishing the Atlanta Life Insurance. } fbq('init', '213902435871547'); Why do you think the Herndon home displayed windows of Alonzo's heritage? In 1905, his property holdings were valued at nearly $325,000. 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. .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{ Social Circle, Georgia, which is located in Walton County ( max-width 1024px... 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