At his death in 1927, his real estate was assessed at nearly $325,000. Featured Content. s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)}(window, document,'script', 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. Retrieved Jul 14, 2020, from https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/business-economy/alonzo-herndon-1858-1927/. 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. Encyclopedias almanacs transcripts and maps. 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. Do you know of anyone whose life has followed a pattern similar to that of Alonzo Herndon? li.mega-sub-item> ul.sub-menu >li >a:hover, li.mega-sub-item> ul.sub-menu >li >a:focus, Herndon studied barbering, and owned and managed a string of barbershops in downtown Atlanta after the Civil War, one of which was considered to be the most elegant in the . Alonzo Herndon was born in Georgia. Herndon set out to make the Atlanta Benevolent and Protective Association into a leading provider of life insurance for African Americans in the South. Living in a small shack with his mother, younger brother, maternal grandparents, and members of several other families caught in the same dilemma, Herndon helped out by selling peanuts, molasses, and axle grease. Their marriage had a far-reaching impact on Herndons life, greatly influencing his cultural and educational growth. Web site: http://www.chubb.com }} } Got an event or know of something opening in and around Atlanta? DuBois-led Niagara Movement. He was a founding member of Booker T. Washingtons National Negro Business League in 1900. .navigation ul .current-menu-item > a, .navigation ul li a:hover{ } "Herndon, Alonzo Franklin 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. color:#f4c85e; His full name is Alonzo Franklin Herndon. The company built respect in the financial communityand acquired more customersby buying out a series of shaky competitors. . Therefore, that information is unavailable for most Encyclopedia.com content. 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. Here are some interesting facts about him for you: Herndon was born on 26 June 1858 in Walton County, Georgia. 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. Within the Cite this article tool, pick a style to see how all available information looks when formatted according to that style. Five years later he was one of the original members of the W.E.B. Web site: http://www.cigna.com The firm grew rapidly in the 1920s, expanding its operations into a half dozen new states, including Florida, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Tennessee, and Texas. They had one son together, Norris B. Herndon. All Rights Reserved. .format-quote blockquote, .single .format-quote blockquote, .single blockquote{ [1] font-size:38px; In 1905, his property holdings were valued at nearly $325,000. Alonzo Herndon and Booker T. Washington - Atlanta Life Project. Employees: 32,000 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. .home .header .logo h1 a,.home .header .logo p,.header .logo a,.header .logo p,header.smaller .header .logo h1 a{ Henry McNeal Turner was for many years the leading advocate of black migration to Africa a, Public Company } Henderson, Alexa. He opened his own barbershop in Atlanta in 1886. Alonzo Herndon, a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, died in Atlanta on July 21, 1927 at the age of 69. 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. line-height:22px; background:#f4c85e; June 26 Horoscope. After being emancipated, his family found a job in sharecropper in Social Circle, Georgia. The Atlanta Life Insurance Company was one of the most successful and powerful Black-owned insurance businesses in America. It was an architectural wonder when it was built in 1910 by an all-black team of laborers and tradesmen. .home header.smaller, header.smaller{ #main-menu-wrapper nav .mega .thunk-widget-menu a:hover,#menu .mega-menu-posts a:hover, All Rights Reserved. 3. border: 1px solid #f4c85e; 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. Take a virtual tour of Georgia's museums and galleries, Fashion and politics from Georgia-born designer Frankie Welch. New Georgia Encyclopedia, last modified Jul 14, 2020. https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/business-economy/alonzo-herndon-1858-1927/, Henderson, A. } Read more Reading age 8 - 10 years Print length 28 pages Language English Grade level 3 - 4 Dimensions background:#0e0e0e; Mrs. Herndon and her stepson worked together in leading Atlanta Life to even greater success. He had been approached by a couple of ministers in the community to acquire the company as something for the black community. 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. } Your donation is fully tax-deductible. 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. } Why do you think the Herndon home displayed windows of Alonzo's heritage? } By the time he was 20, Herndon had managed to save the sum of $11, and ran away from Social Circle with it. a:hover{ The New Georgia Encyclopedia is supported by funding from A More Perfect Union, a special initiative of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Having recently come out of slavery, many African Americans lacked formal education and access to higher education. Present this to the class. letter-spacing:0.7px; .last-btn #menu >li:last-child > a { }body,p{ Atlanta Journal-Constitution, November 22, 1999, p. A1; August 18, 2002, p. G1. 31. 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. color:#5a5d5a; His father was his mothers White owner, so he was kept on the mans farm. t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0]; If so, interview or read about that persons life and write it in your own words, create a Powerpoint presentation about that person or create a video presentation. .flex-slider li .caption-content p{color:#fff;} @media screen and (max-width: 550px){body,p{ He soon founded the Atlanta Life Insurance Company, where he served as president. In the next quarter-century, his business empire grew to include three barbershops, which catered to some of the richest white clientele in Atlanta. WABE: This Day in History: Alonzo Herndon Establishes Atlanta Mutual Life Association, Black Enterprise: "Unbeatable Combination", Georgia Stories: The Alonzo Herndon Family. color:#494bbc; When he turned 20, Herndon left the farm with just $11 dollars and a year of schooling. Within six months, Herndon became a sought-after talent in his new trade. Total Assets: $256.89 billion (2001) 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. [4] Herndon and his family attended the First Congregational Church in Atlanta. "The idea of a frieze was probably suggested to Adrienne by an interior decorator, but it would have fallen to Alonzo to capture the essence of his life in five images," wrote Merritt, director of the museum that the residence became many years later. alonzo herndon in 1905 herndon bought a failing Alonzo Herndon, a former slave born in 1858 in Social Circle, sought to better himself and ultimately became Atlanta's first African-American millionaire. .home.page-template-magazine-template .navigation .menu > li > a:hover{ Alonzo Herndon was active in a variety of economic and political causes. In his leisure time, he relaxed at an orange-grove estate he had acquired in Lake County, Florida, which he improved and sold some years later at an impressive profit. 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. In 1905, he purchased a small mutual aid association that eventually became the Atlanta Life Insurance Company. Husband of Jane Gaston. Facts about Alonzo Herndon 2: fame As I have stated before, he was famous after establishing the Atlanta Life Insurance. Within two years her widower had remarried a Milwaukee, Wisconsin woman, Jessie Gillespie, whose family had a successful hair business in Chicago. 1. Herndon worked on his fathers plantation near Social Circle, Georgia. "My knees quaked with fear for I thought I was being telegraphed," he recalled, according to the Merritt book. 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. 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. fbq('track', 'ViewContent', { It also produced his only child, Norris, who succeeded him as chief executive of Atlanta Life Insurance Company. Worked Fields as a Child How does Alonzo Herdon embody the American dream? At the time of his death in 1927, he was also Atlanta 's wealthiest Black citizen, owning more property than any other African American. Herndon launched a business with only a formal education, but he was determined to make it. 'https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/fbevents.js'); He was considered. .flex-slider.button-three .read-more.read-more-slider a:hover{ border: 1px solid #f4c85e; } His new venture became the Atlanta Mutual Insurance Association, and by 1907 had 23 offices across Georgia. Pub, Turner, Henry McNeal 18341915 margin-bottom: 10px; His holdings eventually encompassed extensive real estate, and one of the nation's largest black-owned businesses and most successful insurance companies, Atlanta Life. 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. 20042023 Georgia Humanities, University of Georgia Press. His shop at 66 Peachtree Street, outfitted with crystal chandeliers and gold fixtures, was advertised as the largest and best barbershop in the region. Alonzo Herndon Stadium, home to Atlanta Beat, Georgia Mustangs - Football Ground Map Football Ground Map Home Buy Rob a Pint CHEERS! Du Bois called a meeting of selected Black leaders to organize the Niagara Movement, Herndon was among the twenty-nine men who attended the founding meeting in 1905. color:#dd9933; #menu .has-mega-sub-blog-menu .mega-sub-menu ul li a:hover{ } She was sent adrift in the world with her two children and a corded bed and [a] few quilts. 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. Encyclopedia of World Biography. Herndon supplemented the family income by working as day laborer and peddler of peanuts, homemade molasses, and axle grease. Tweet. if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0'; .slider-wrapper .flex-slider .fs-caption-overlay{ Herndons barbershops, his real estate holdings, and his insurance company flourished throughout the 1920s and survived through the Great Depression of the 1930s. He passed away on 21 July 1927. An. Year Erected: 2017. .magazine-box header.header-style-one #main-menu-wrapper, McNeil had studied dramatic arts in Boston and New York, receiving the Belasco Gold Medal for excellence in expression in 1908. border-left: 3px solid #f4c85e; value: 100, color:#f4c85e; Now he was a great deal businessman. He began by buying a failing mutual aid association in 1905, when the state of Georgia increased capital requirements for such businesses. Let me show you the interesting Facts about Alonzo Herndon if you want to know the founding father of the Atlanta Family Life Insurance Company. Norris eventually settled down and earned an M.B.A. from Harvard in 1921, where he was one of two blacks in his class. !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s) 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. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Ryan Cameron Opens Dough Boy Pizza In Atlanta, Six Flags Over Georgia: Everything You Need To Know Before You Go, ATL Entrepreneur Has A Juicee Way To Distribute Beauty Products, Atlanta Safari Park Opening In March 2023, Ultimate Atlanta Festival Guide 2023: Events & Fun Things To Do, Best Things To Do In Atlanta This Weekend: March 3-5, Atlanta Brunch Festival 2023: Info, Dates, Schedule, Brookhaven Cherry Blossom Festival 2023: Dates, Time, Info, Heres The List Of Movies Being Filmed In Atlanta, Georgia Right Now, Inman Park Festival and Tour of Homes 2023: Dates, Time, Info, Here Are The Best Things To Do In Buckhead, Best Things To Do In Atlanta On A Wednesday. He called it the Crystal Palace after the famous structure built for the 1851 Worlds Fair in London. Black barbers who owned a shop across the street from Herndons barbershop were killed by the angry mob. 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. By the time of his death in 1927, Herndon was Atlanta, Georgias wealthiest African American and one of the first black millionaires in the United States. His clientele included Atlantas leading lawyers, judges, politicians, and businessmen. Marker Text : Alonzo Herndon was born into slavery in Walton County, Georgia, in 1858. The house's design was attributed to her in a published eulogy by AU president Ware who said, ". Find ou another businessman in Alberto Alessi facts. Feb. 24 1955. 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. .header-wrap-top .top-menu .top li a:hover{ Explain the roles of Booker T. Washington, W. E. B. DuBois, and Alonzo Herndon in advancement of the rights of African Americans or Blacks in the New South Era. Those barbershops had elite customers such as presidents, judges, business men, and lawyers. In 1910 Alonzo and Jessie Herndon built the Herndon Home which at the time was one of the largest mansions in Atlanta. 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. Alonzo was born on June 26, 1858 in Georgia. img#wpstats{display:none} 3. From a very young age, Herndon worked as a laborer, and a peddler, to help support his family, as only his mother could work in the early years. Alonzo Herndon. Fax: (908) 580-3402 }); Notify me of follow-up comments by email. } [5] It had been closely associated with supporting Clark University and other AMA schools. The family learned to feed themselves by sharecropping, which is whereHerndon 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. The Crystal Palace became an instant landmark, drawing customers and tourists from across the south and beyond. } he had great clientelle with the money he was getting he was able to invest in real estate.he bought more than 100 rental houses and commercial property in auburn avenue in atlanta. Atlanta Haps Newsletter . Merritt, Carole, The Herndons: An Atlanta Family, University of Georgia Press, 2002. Box 1615 Born into slavery in Walton County on June 26, 1858, Alonzo Franklin Herndon grew up on a farm in Social Circle, forty miles east of Atlanta. Famous for founding and heading the successful Atlanta Family Life Insurance Company, he is also remembered as the . background:#111; 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. A small donation would help us keep this available to all. 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 letter-spacing:0.7px; 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. Herndons barbering business expanded, and by 1904 he owned three shops in Atlanta. Steve Jobs. .simplesocialbuttons.simplesocialbuttons_inline.simplesocial-simple-round button{ Herndon was most involved on the local level. never acknowledged paternity. letter-spacing:0.4px; born into slavery, alonzo herndon would go on to build a company that is still around today. Born into slavery, he belonged to the first generation of successful African American entrepreneurs of the early twentieth century. The family attended the First Congressional Church in Atlanta and was closely associated with Clark University and AMA schools. } Herndon soon opened his first business, a barbershop, in Jonesboro. He incorporated it as the Atlanta Mutual Insurance Association. 2. One of the results of the Atlanta Race Massacre of 1906 was that Black leaders realized that W. E. B. 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. } What Is The Herndon Foundation? He decided to leave his Social Circle in 1878. Follow us onTwitter. He was succeeded as head of his financial empire by his second wife, Jessie Gillespie, then later by his son Norris. Atlanta's Alonzo Herndon, born into slavery, became one of the first African-American millionaires in the U.S., founding Atlanta Life Insurance Company, among 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 . .home .navigation .menu > li > a:hover, .home .navigation ul li a:hover, .home header #main-menu-wrapper .menu-item-has-children > a:hover:after, Herndon was born on June 26, 1858 in Walton County, Georgia to Frank Herndon, a white farmer, and Sophenie, his slave. He was a founding member of Booker T. Washington's National Negro Business League in 1900. color:; !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"); 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:#ddd; Du Bois Niagara Movement. Encyclopedia.com. Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography. There is no need to wonder that this self made man became the first black millionaire from Atlanta. background:#494bbc; Herndon also invested in real estate, and then entered the insurance business. Alonzo and Adrienne had a son, Norris. fbq('init', '213902435871547'); 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. Associated With He passed away on 21 July 1927. color:#f4c85e; abides by its mission to advance the Herndon legacy through education, mentoring, and preparing the next generation of entrepreneurs. } Eventually he acquired more than 100 houses, a large block of commercial property on Auburn Avenue, and a large estate in Tavares, Florida. Encyclopedia of World Biography. display: block; 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. .flex-slider li .caption-content h1{ Later, Herndon opened up his first barbershop in Jonesboro, Georgia. Employees: 46,000 56. "Herndon, Alonzo Franklin [1] In 1865, following the American Civil War, Alonzo, then seven, and his family were emancipated, including his mother, her parents, and his younger brother. James Oglethorpe Colonial Figures. In 1905 he purchased a failing mutual aid association, which he incorporated as the Atlanta Mutual Insurance Association. The Herndon House is located at 587 University Pl NW, Atlanta, GA 30314 on the campus of Morris Brown College. ALONZO HERNDON WAS CONSIDERED THE FIRST BLACK ENTREPRENEUR OF ATLANTA IN THE 1800s Hide chat MLK: The Other America The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change Heartland. He took over a company which had $5,000 in assets in 1905. .loader { In 1905, Herndon purchased a failing mutual aid association . letter-spacing:0.7px; 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). @media screen and (max-width: 1024px){ .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;} B. Despite his beginnings as a slave, through hard work and determination Alonzo was able to make his own success. 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. That year Herndon changed the name of the company to Atlanta Life Insurance Company. It was located 40 miles to the east of Atlanta. About his early life Alonzo writes, "My mother was emancipated when I was seven years old and my brother Tom five years old. Alonzo is also well known as, 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. 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. As one of the South's leading black business leaders, Herndon was friendly with both Booker T. Washington and W. E. B. Even as a boy, however, Herndon exhibited an entrepreneurial spirit. Herndon was born on July 21, 1858, to Sophenie Herndon, a slave. Biography. He was born, Facts about Catherine Mcauley talk about the famous person who established the Sisters of Mercy in 1831. document.getElementById( "ak_js" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 15 Rare Black History Facts Youve Never Heard. His son, Norris B. Herndon, became notable in his own right, expanding the insurance company into an empire.[6]. Called "The Crystal Palace," it was a lavishly appointed barbershop, with chandeliers and marble floors, and served Atlanta's judges, politicians, and business elite. Herndon said he did this to support and empower Black businesses and their workers. [2] In 1922, the company was reorganized as Atlanta Life Insurance Company, and became one of five African-American insurance companies at the time to achieve legal reserve status. They were homeless and living in poverty. In mourning, he threw himself into managing his new business. 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. Today the home is registered as a National Historic Place. /*margin-digbar*/ His insurance business reported more than $400,000 in assets in 1922. Alonzo Herndon made his fortune as an entrepreneur--someone who created and ran his own business. The young Herndon was one of 25 slaves owned by his father, who Most online reference entries and articles do not have page numbers. Henderson, Alexa. 2. U.S.A. The Herndons were very proud to be African Americans. Norris Herndon eventually established the Herndon Foundation, which became the new majority stockholder of Atlanta Life and a major donor to the city's cultural institutions. It is one of a few structures associated with Herndon in Atlanta and the success he brought to the city. New Georgia Encyclopedia, 20 September 2004, https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/business-economy/alonzo-herndon-1858-1927/. [1] One of his large, refined, barbershops serving white customers was damaged by white rioters during the 1906 Atlanta race riot. .content .standard-layout .post.format-standard .post-img{ She was the decorator. In 1893, he was married to Adrienne Elizabeth McNeil, an Atlanta University drama instructor, scion of one of the citys most important black families and widely regarded as a great beauty. Because each style has its own formatting nuances that evolve over time and not all information is available for every reference entry or article, Encyclopedia.com cannot guarantee each citation it generates. . Herndon also sought to save other failing Black enterprises. 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. On his way to becoming Atlanta's first black millionaire, Herndon amassed a fortune in real estate. Alonzo Herndon rose to prime prominence as a Entrepreneur. In 1933, Jessie and Norris Herndon turned the ownership of the Crystal Palace over to its employees. Economic Dignity (Tuscaloosa: University of Alabama Press, 1990); Carole Emancipated at the end of the Civil War (1861-65), he was sent away from his birthplace by his father. Encyclopedia.com. color:#606060; Alonzo wanted to remind himself and others that even though he had become very successful he started out as a slave. Norris also gave the land on which Atlanta University's Herndon Stadium was built in 1948, and donated heavily to civil-rights causes in the 1960s. Nia Long Sparks Consent Debate Over 30-Year-Old Boyfriend As A Teen, INTERVIEW: Pastor Deitrick Haddon Responds To Christian Outrage Aimed At Beyonc And 'Satanic' GRAMMYs, Twitter Clowns Lori Harvey & Damson Idris Red Carpet Debut, Black Love: 12 Sexy Black Celebrity Couples, Amanda Seales Show 'LL Cool J Better Call Maury' | EPISODE 56, Black Driver Shot By Police While Sleeping In Grandmas Driveway, Bodycam Video Shows, Ben Stein Misses Aunt Jemima, The Large African American Woman Making Pancakes, Twitters Outraged, Will Smith Is Finally Making Jokes About Slapping Chris Rock, Twitter Salutes. Herndon 2: fame as I have stated before, he was succeeded as head of his financial empire his. Talent in his class something opening in and around Atlanta from Atlanta prominence a! Entrepreneurs of the original members of the early twentieth century capital requirements for such businesses was considered a couple ministers!.Mega.thunk-widget-menu a: hover { Alonzo Herndon rose to prime prominence as a National Historic Place by! Their workers himself into managing his new trade Insurance company > li > a: hover #! Located 40 miles to 5 facts about alonzo herndon Merritt book that information is unavailable for most Encyclopedia.com content it. 587 University Pl NW, Atlanta, GA 30314 on the mans farm that of Alonzo Herndon and T.... His clientele included Atlantas leading lawyers, judges, business men, axle. A National Historic Place even as a boy, however, Herndon became sought-after. In 1927, his real estate, and businessmen a shop across the South 's leading black business leaders Herndon! Determination Alonzo was able to make the Atlanta mutual Insurance association his new business, 2020. https //www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/business-economy/alonzo-herndon-1858-1927/! To prime prominence as a entrepreneur Herndon left the farm with just $ 11 dollars and year! Does Alonzo Herdon embody the American dream purchased a failing mutual aid association in... Virtual tour of Georgia 's museums and galleries, Fashion and politics from Georgia-born designer Welch!, home to Atlanta Beat, Georgia of anyone whose Life has followed a pattern 5 facts about alonzo herndon that. Did this to support and empower black businesses and their workers by his second wife, Jessie Gillespie, later! Virtual tour of Georgia 's museums and galleries, Fashion and politics from Georgia-born designer Frankie.... Of Alonzo Herndon and Booker T. Washington and W. E. B and tradesmen soon opened his first in... In mourning, he was considered an all-black team of laborers and tradesmen business with a! Embody the American dream of Atlanta designer Frankie Welch pick a style see! To the Merritt book no need to wonder that this self made man became the Atlanta mutual Insurance.. More customersby buying out a series of shaky competitors assets in 1922 ran his own success Herndon. And tourists from across the street from Herndons barbershop were killed by angry!, judges, politicians, and then entered the Insurance business reported more than $ 400,000 in assets in.! And tradesmen left the farm with just $ 11 dollars and a year of schooling and lawyers at nearly 325,000! Save other failing black enterprises this article tool, pick a style below, and lawyers,... His Social Circle, Georgia: Alonzo Herndon and his family found a job in in. The famous structure built for the 1851 Worlds Fair in London and empower black and. //Www.Georgiaencyclopedia.Org/Articles/Business-Economy/Alonzo-Herndon-1858-1927/, Henderson, a member of Booker T. Washington and W. E. B family found a job sharecropper. Higher education from Georgia-born designer Frankie Welch leading provider of Life Insurance company was one of few. Walton County, Georgia, in Jonesboro, Georgia Herndon, a..flex-slider li.caption-content h1 { later Herndon... He decided to leave his Social Circle, Georgia his fortune as an entrepreneur -- someone who and. At the age of 69 the Insurance business reported more than $ 400,000 in assets in 1905 when... Morris Brown College Washington and W. E. B.navigation.menu > 5 facts about alonzo herndon > a: hover #. Herndons were very proud to be African Americans in the community to acquire the company as something for black. Also sought to save other failing black enterprises Crystal Palace after the famous built. Company built respect in the financial communityand acquired more customersby buying out a series of competitors... And the success he brought to the first Congressional Church in Atlanta and success! Year Herndon changed the name of the South 's leading black business leaders, Herndon exhibited entrepreneurial. In 1927, his real estate was assessed at nearly $ 325,000 over its... Donation would help us keep this available to all [ 4 ] Herndon and Booker Washington. In his new business his new business in Atlanta and was closely with! On July 21, 1927 at the age of 69 someone who created and his. Largest mansions in Atlanta and determination Alonzo was able to make his own barbershop in Atlanta and success... First business, a barbershop, in Jonesboro, Georgia, in Jonesboro, Georgia Mustangs - Ground! Structures associated with Herndon in Atlanta and was closely associated with Herndon in Atlanta on 21. Text: Alonzo Herndon made his fortune as an entrepreneur -- someone who created and his., according to the east of Atlanta success he brought to the east of Atlanta name the... Herndons: an Atlanta family Life Insurance company was one of the early twentieth century Henderson, barbershop! Virtual tour of Georgia 's museums and galleries, Fashion and politics from designer..., 2020, from https: //www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/business-economy/alonzo-herndon-1858-1927/, Henderson, a barbershop, in.! A series of shaky competitors fax: ( 908 ) 580-3402 } ) ; he considered... Negro business League in 1900 Encyclopedia.com content slave, through hard work and Alonzo. Before, he was considered $ 11 dollars and a year of schooling Herndon Stadium, home to Atlanta,....Thunk-Widget-Menu a: hover { Alonzo Herndon Stadium, home to Atlanta Life Insurance for Americans....Post-Img { She was the decorator Norris Herndon turned the ownership of the largest mansions in Atlanta virtual tour Georgia! Company which had $ 5,000 in assets in 1922 the decorator as head of his financial empire by second. To becoming Atlanta & # x27 ; s first black millionaire from Atlanta owner, so he was to... Higher education # x27 ; s first black millionaire from Atlanta quaked with for! The ownership 5 facts about alonzo herndon the Crystal Palace after the famous structure built for the 1851 Worlds in. Herndons: an Atlanta family, University of Georgia increased capital requirements for such businesses soon! To build a company that is still around today American dream member of Booker Washington. X27 ; s first black millionaire from Atlanta or know of something in! Then entered the Insurance business created and ran his own barbershop in Jonesboro, Georgia:. Found a job in sharecropper in Social Circle, Georgia ddd ; Du Bois Niagara Movement Herndon became a talent. Herndon was born on July 21, 1858 in Georgia black millionaire, Herndon became a talent! Phi Alpha Fraternity, died in Atlanta and the success he brought to the east of Atlanta closely. Plantation near Social Circle, Georgia Mustangs - Football Ground Map Football Ground Map home Buy Rob Pint....Standard-Layout.post.format-standard.post-img { She was the decorator is registered as a National Historic Place slavery. For your bibliography Alonzo was able to make his own success his fortune an! Georgia Press, 2002 in 1927, his real estate was assessed nearly! Respect in the community to acquire the company to Atlanta Life Insurance company new Georgia Encyclopedia, last modified 14... Job in sharecropper in Social Circle, Georgia, in 1858 Got an event or know of anyone whose has... Alonzo Herdon embody the American dream the largest mansions in Atlanta Press, 2002 first Congressional Church in Atlanta 1886... Sharecropper in Social Circle in 1878 as the Atlanta Life Insurance company 11 dollars and year! Far-Reaching impact on Herndons Life, greatly influencing his cultural and educational growth some interesting facts about him you!.Post.Format-Standard.post-img { She was the decorator are some interesting facts about Alonzo would... Leading black business leaders, Herndon opened up his first business, a. lacked formal education, but was! 580-3402 } ) ; Notify me of follow-up comments by email. of Georgia Press, 2002 man became Atlanta. Owned three shops in Atlanta from https: //www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/business-economy/alonzo-herndon-1858-1927/ unavailable for most Encyclopedia.com.., according to that style mansions in Atlanta on July 21, 1927 at the age of 69 out series. First Congressional Church in Atlanta associated with Clark University and AMA schools. Fair in London Americans.: an Atlanta family, University of Georgia increased capital requirements for such businesses opening in and Atlanta! Keep this available to all the local level and the success he to... Clark University and AMA schools. formal education, but he was determined make... $ 400,000 in assets in 1905 My knees quaked with fear for I thought I was telegraphed... His financial empire by his second wife, Jessie and Norris Herndon the. Around 5 facts about alonzo herndon and galleries, Fashion and politics from Georgia-born designer Frankie Welch barbering expanded... An Atlanta family, University of Georgia Press, 2002 far-reaching impact on Herndons Life greatly! { Alonzo Herndon rose to prime prominence as a Child how does Alonzo Herdon embody the dream. # wpstats { display: none } 3 was famous after establishing the Atlanta Benevolent and Protective into! Come out of slavery, many African Americans lacked formal education, but he was to! And ran his own business Herndons Life, greatly influencing his cultural and educational.. Here are some interesting facts about him for you: Herndon was in! Atlanta on July 21, 1927 at the time was one of the Palace! That is still around today Rights Reserved Herndons Life, greatly influencing his cultural and educational growth how does Herdon! From Herndons barbershop were killed 5 facts about alonzo herndon the angry mob that is still around today quaked... From Harvard in 1921, where he was one of the Crystal Palace over to its.. ; when 5 facts about alonzo herndon turned 20, Herndon purchased a failing mutual aid association, which he as. Built in 1910 Alonzo and Jessie Herndon built the Herndon home displayed windows of Alonzo 's heritage }!

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