At the time of his death Herndons real estate holdings were valued at nearly $325,000. background:#f4c85e; Though Herndons successful businesses and investments made him a wealthy man, they did not protect him from the negative effects of racism. 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. On that day in 1878, he walked all the way to Jonesboro, Georgia, but his first stop was a town that had telegraph wires running overhead, something he had never before seen and which unsettled him. Herndon was most involved on the local level. .footer-wrapper p, .footer-wrapper a, !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s) .last-btn #menu >li:last-child > a { She was sent adrift in the world with her two children and a corded bed and [a] few quilts. 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. He developed a great reputation as a barber and his business thrived. See whats poppin in the ATL! 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 1910 Alonzo and Jessie Herndon built the Herndon Home which at the time was one of the largest mansions in Atlanta. His success in barbering was spectacular, and as his earnings grew, he invested in real estate in Atlanta and in Florida. } He also became the president of this company. At that time, he was 7 years old. He also invented his money in real estate. It remained a segregated establishment until it closed in 1972. Therefore, that information is unavailable for most Encyclopedia.com content. Fax: (908) 580-3402 His holdings eventually came to include more than 100 residential and commercial properties. In 1910, Herndons wife died unexpectedly. As his personal fortune grew, Herndon entered the field of insurance. (Use the internet or biographies of successful people to find someone like this.) Herndon was born on July 21, 1858, to Sophenie Herndon, a slave. Merritt, Carole, The Herndons: An Atlanta Family, University of Georgia Press, 2002. June 26 Horoscope. Herndon trained as a barber, and had his first small shop in Jonesboro. Herndon was born into slavery as Alonzo Franklin Herndon on June 26, 1858. .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);} } After a few months Herndon migrated to the town of Jonesboro, in Clayton County. https://www.encyclopedia.com/history/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/herndon-alonzo-franklin, "Herndon, Alonzo Franklin Alonzo is originated from United States. 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. img#wpstats{display:none} William Dougherty Hutchins had been a free black before the war, and his shop was a busy one. 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. Du Bois. letter-spacing:0.4px; color:; Guided in part by advice and information he picked up from his wealthy, influential clientele, Herndon invested the majority of his profits in real estate. In 1883 Herndon migrated to Atlanta, Georgia to continue in the barbering business in the largest city in the state. } .woocommerce-product-gallery{ opacity: 1 !important; } However, the date of retrieval is often important. .loader { In 1922 the company had achieved legal reserve status, a position enjoyed by only four other Black insurance companies at that time. 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 Herndon began construction on the house in 1905 and it was substantially complete when Adrienne Herndon died after a brief illness in 1910. The legacy of Alonzo Herndon (b. -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)} Herndon saved other failing insurance companies by merging their company with Atlanta Life Insurance, claiming his efforts were designed to build confidence in black businesses and save jobs for African American men and women. [1] One of his large, refined, barbershops serving white customers was damaged by white rioters during the 1906 Atlanta race riot. Their marriage had a far-reaching impact on Herndons life, greatly influencing his cultural and educational growth. Herndons barbershops, his real estate holdings, and his insurance company flourished throughout the 1920s and survived through the Great Depression of the 1930s. margin: ; He was a member of W.E.B. Get facts about Alan Sugar here. In 1905, Herndon purchased a failing mutual aid association . Herndon brought in experienced, professional management with a sound business plan that included an expanded, knowledgeable sales force and a new network of branch offices. .flex-slider li .caption-content p{color:#fff;} Alonzo Herndon and Booker T. Washington. In 1878, at the age of 20, Herndon left his family and moved to Jonesboro, Georgia where he openedhis first barbershop. New Georgia Encyclopedia, 20 September 2004, https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/business-economy/alonzo-herndon-1858-1927/. "Alonzo Herndon." 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. Herndon married Adrienne McNeil in 1893, a professor at Atlanta University, one of the many institutions he supported. .upcoming-events li span { It also produced his only child, Norris, who succeeded him as chief executive of Atlanta Life Insurance Company. Encyclopedia of World Biography. After starting in the shop of another black man in Atlanta, Herndon later owned three barbershops in Atlanta, including a large one at 66 Peachtree Street that he fitted out with luxurious furnishings. currency: 'USD', 'https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/fbevents.js'); He was born, Facts about Catherine Mcauley talk about the famous person who established the Sisters of Mercy in 1831. He was also involved in the Southview Cemetery Association, Atlanta Loan and Trust, and the Atlanta State Savings Bank, and was a key investor in Gate City Drug Company, the first black-owned drugstore on Auburn Avenue. Herndon died in Atlanta on July 21, 1927 at the age of 69. 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. Five years later he was one of the original members of the W.E.B. Herndons prominence and influence were enhanced by his family life. .home.page-template-magazine-template .navigation .menu > li > a:hover{ His child Norris B. Herndon eventually took over Atlanta Life, expanding the company's reach and increasing its profits. Atlanta Haps Newsletter Alonzo Herndon Stadium, home to Atlanta Beat, Georgia Mustangs - Football Ground Map Football Ground Map Home Buy Rob a Pint CHEERS! American executive Alonzo Franklin Herndon (1858-1927) founded the Atlanta Life Insurance Company, one of the leading insurers in the American South. 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. Alonzo was born on June 26, 1858 in Georgia. He hired top managers with industry experience, trained a professional sales force, and acquired smaller, struggling insurance companies in both Georgia and nearby states. Facts about Alonzo Herndon 2: fame As I have stated before, he was famous after establishing the Atlanta Life Insurance. 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. border-left: 3px solid #f4c85e; American executive Alonzo Franklin Herndon (18581927) founded the Atlanta Life Insurance Company, one of the leading insurers in the American South. into a half dozen new states, including Florida, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Tennessee, and Texas. font-size:14px; [citation needed]. 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. Herndon was born on June 26, 1858 in Walton County, Georgia to Frank Herndon, a white farmer, and Sophenie, his slave. .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{ .format-quote blockquote, .single .format-quote blockquote, .single blockquote{ Merged with two other firms and renamed the Atlanta Life Insurance Company, the firm prospered. Then, copy and paste the text into your bibliography or works cited list. He was one of 25 people enslaved by his father, who never acknowledged paternity of him. 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. Such financial success provided Herndon with entree into Atlantas black elite where he met his wife. There he opened his first barbershop. [3], In 1893, Herndon married Adrienne Elizabeth McNeil, a professor at Atlanta University who helped him gain an education and refinement. It was located 40 miles to the east of Atlanta. background:rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.95); In 1900 Herndon joined Atlanta delegates attending the founding meeting of the National Negro Business League, convened by Booker T. Washington in Boston. The company built respect in the financial communityand acquired more customersby buying out a series of shaky competitors. Press, 2002); http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/business-economy/alonzo-herndon-1858-1927; https://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/atlanta/her.htm. He began by buying a failing mutual aid association in 1905, when the state of Georgia increased capital requirements for such businesses. Warren, New Jersey 07061 #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{ 1858) represents an important piece of black history in Atlanta. The firm grew rapidly in the 1920s, expanding its operations into a half dozen new states, including Florida, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Tennessee, and Texas. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. border-color:#f4c85e; His shop at 66 Peachtree Street, outfitted with crystal chandeliers and gold fixtures, was advertised as the largest and best barbershop in the region. Encyclopedia of World Biography. .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, .home header.smaller, header.smaller{ Progressive voices like Henry Grady promoted a more diverse economy, welcoming northern investment, while populists like Tom Watson believed the focus should remain on the needs of working Georgians, particularly farmers. He also supported commercial activities, including the Southview Cemetery Association and the Atlanta State Savings Bank. In 1878, Herndon left Social Circle on foot with eleven dollars in savings and approximately one year of formal schooling. Alonzo Herndon. Why do you think the Herndon home displayed windows of Alonzo's heritage? Herndon died in Atlanta on July 21, 1927, a few weeks after his sixty-ninth birthday. } Read more Reading age 8 - 10 years Print length 28 pages Language English Grade level 3 - 4 Dimensions Perhaps recalling his early years of extreme deprivation, Herndon treated his employees well and became a generous supporter of a number of Atlanta charitable organizations. 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. .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;} The field of Insurance it also produced his only child, norris, who never paternity... 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