5 facts about alonzo herndon

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. An. 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. Herndon died in 1927, at 69. } 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 . His father was his mother's White owner, so he was kept on the man's farm. Alonzo was born on June 26, 1858 in Georgia. 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. .footer-wrapper .footer-copyright .copyright { font-size:14px; 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. His son was more reluctant to follow in his footsteps, however, for Norris Herndon had inherited Adrienne's passion for the stage. It is one of a few structures associated with Herndon in Atlanta and the success he brought to the city. .loader { Encyclopedia.com. Got an event or know of something opening in and around Atlanta? In 1922 the company had achieved legal reserve status, a position enjoyed by only four other Black insurance companies at that time. In 1905, Herndon purchased a failing mutual aid association . } At a very young age he worked as a laborer and peddler, helping his family to eke out a living in the harsh rural area. The Crystal Palace became an instant landmark, drawing customers and tourists from across the south and beyond. In New Georgia Encyclopedia. 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. He also became the president of this company. line-height:22px; Brother of Melissa Herndon; Delilah Herndon; Joan Herndon and Nellie Herndon. 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. Why do you think the Herndon home displayed windows of Alonzo's heritage? img#wpstats{display:none} Herndon also sought to save other failing Black enterprises. 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. font-size:38px; In 1905 he purchased a failing mutual aid association, which he incorporated as the Atlanta Mutual Insurance Association. Alonzo Herndon, a former slave born in 1858 in Social Circle, sought to better himself and ultimately became Atlanta's first African-American millionaire. 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. letter-spacing:0.7px; Retrieved February 23, 2023 from Encyclopedia.com: https://www.encyclopedia.com/history/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/herndon-alonzo-franklin. The other was John Merricks North Carolina Mutual Insurance Company. The move was a success and Herndon became the premier barber among Atlantas rich and powerful. . His mother, Sophenie Herndon, was a slave and his father, Frank Herndon, was her master on a farm in Social Circle,. He also invented his money in real estate. } .woocommerce-product-gallery{ opacity: 1 !important; } He developed a great reputation as a barber and his business thrived. Encyclopedia of World Biography. Eventually he acquired more than 100 houses, a large block of commercial property on Auburn Avenue, and a large estate in Tavares, Florida. Alonzo Herndon has been a part of the Entrepreneur list. Retrieved Jul 14, 2020, from https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/business-economy/alonzo-herndon-1858-1927/. Employees: 32,000 Within two years her widower had remarried a Milwaukee, Wisconsin woman, Jessie Gillespie, whose family had a successful hair business in Chicago. Admired and respected by many, he was noted for his involvement in and support of local institutions and charities devoted to advancing African American business and community life. li.social-icon ul li a,ul.single-social-icon li a i{ Alonzo wanted to remind himself and others that even though he had become very successful he started out as a slave. Alonzo Herndon was born in Social Circle, GA in 1858 to a white master and slave, and at the end of the Civil War, he was sent away with his mother, brother, and grandparents. He was considered. 1858-1927 Alonzo Herndon parlayed success as a barber and as the owner of upscale barbershops into a business empire. Herndon bought the business for $140 in 1905, and when he deposited the sum according to the new state regulatory rules, his company became the first in the state to meet the new requirement. "Herndon, Alonzo Franklin Like BlackAmericaWeb.com onFacebook. fbq('init', '213902435871547'); Carole Merritt, The Herndons: An Atlanta Family (Athens: University of Georgia Press, 2002). Atlanta Haps Newsletter 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. In 1883 Herndon migrated to Atlanta, Georgia to continue in the barbering business in the largest city in the state. In addition to serving as a role model and inspiration to generations of African American entrepreneurs, Herndon left a significant family legacy. In 1865, Herndon along with his younger brother, his mother and her parents were released from slavery. } Herndon also used his wealth to support local institutions and causes, such as the Young Mens Christian Association (YMCA), Atlanta University, the First Congregational Church, the Southview Cemetery, and the Atlanta State Savings Bank. "Herndon was eager to capitalize on it.". Associated With 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. He was succeeded as head of his financial empire by his second wife, Jessie Gillespie, then later by his son Norris. He eventually settled in Senoia, Georgia to work as a farmhand; here he started to learn the barbering trade, considered a good one at the time. In 1905, his property holdings were valued at nearly $325,000. Luckily, Herndon had already gone home for the day. .header-wrap-top .top-menu .top li a:hover{ He had been approached by a couple of ministers in the community to acquire the company as something for the black community. background:#f4c85e; Despite his beginnings as a slave, through hard work and determination Alonzo was able to make his own success. Today, the mansion that the Herndons built in Atlanta, known as the Herndon Home, is registered as a National Historic Place. 2. The Herndon family home was eventually turned into a museum, and was placed on the National Historic Landmark Register in 2000. } .home.page-template-magazine-template .navigation .menu > li > a:hover{ ." Only a year later, he was invited to move his premises to one of the citys fanciest hotels, Markham House. 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. } 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. 2. .simplesocialbuttons.simplesocialbuttons_inline.simplesocial-simple-round button{ In 1910 Alonzo and Jessie Herndon built the Herndon Home which at the time was one of the largest mansions in Atlanta. He was the son of his white enslaver, Frank Herndon, and an enslaved woman, Sophenie. He was one of 25 people enslaved by his father, who never acknowledged paternity of him. In addition to the MLA, Chicago, and APA styles, your school, university, publication, or institution may have its own requirements for citations. Henderson, Alexa. When he turned 20, Herndon left the farm with just $11 dollars and a year of schooling. As for Atlanta LIfe, it exists today as Atlanta Life Financial Group, located at 191 Peachtree St #2500, Atlanta, GA 30303. 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. DuBois-led Niagara Movement. never acknowledged paternity. 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. Historian Marcellus Barksdale describes the Crystal Palace as fitting its name. Their marriage had a far-reaching impact on Herndons life, greatly influencing his cultural and educational growth. 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. All Rights Reserved. #main-menu-wrapper nav .mega .thunk-widget-menu .menu a:hover { She was the decorator. His son, Norris B. Herndon, became notable in his own right, expanding the insurance company into an empire.[6]. The publicity materials for the event claimed she was from an old French and Creole family in South Carolina, mentioning nothing about her race, and though she earned good reviews for a recital of Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra, no other roles came her way. 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. Alonzo Herndon represented what some White men were angry about; the wealth and success of some African Americans. Alonzo Herndon and Booker T. Washington - Atlanta Life Project. color:#494bbc!important; 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. Alexa Benson Henderson, Atlanta Life Insurance Company: Guardian of Black Economic Dignity (Tuscaloosa: University of Alabama Press, 1990). In 1858, Alonzo Franklin Herndon was born into slavery in Walton County. !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"); .magazine-box header.header-style-one #main-menu-wrapper, One of Herndons most lasting contributions includes his role in establishing the United Negro College Fund. Atlanta has a lot of inspirational people and AtlantaFi.com is going to introduce you to many of them as well as cool places to go, great restaurants and other ATL happenings. 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 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. Then, copy and paste the text into your bibliography or works cited list. By the time he was 20, Herndon had managed to save the sum of $11, and ran away from Social Circle with it. Herndons prominence and influence were enhanced by his family life. Encyclopedia.com. 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. Clergyman, activist, author His son Norris attended Atlanta University and Harvard Business School before entering his father's company full time. By 1916, the Association was reorganized as a stock company capitalized at $25,000, most of which Herndon bought. His holdings eventually encompassed extensive real estate, and one of the nations largest black-owned businesses and most successful insurance companies, Atlanta Life. Cite this article Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography. After moving to segregated Atlanta, Herndon opened several barbershops including the upscale Crystal Palace in 1902. His father was Frank Herndon, the white farmer to whose Social Circle, Georgia land Sophenie was restricted. 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. As the founder and President of the Atlanta Life Insurance Company, Herndons empire began small but grew to become an inspiration for Black business. .navigation ul .current-menu-item > a, .navigation ul li a:hover{ 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. Herndon soon opened his first business, a barbershop, in Jonesboro. 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. Therefore, that information is unavailable for most Encyclopedia.com content. Another structure on Morris Browns campus is Alonzo Herndon Stadium, an old 15,011-seat stadium that was once used for sports events at the school. }); background:#0e0e0e; Company ::selection{ At one point, Herndon was the wealthiest African-American in Atlanta. Herndon launched a business with only a formal education, but he was determined to make it. } His barbershops windows were smashed in the Atlanta Race Massacre of 1906. The field hockey venue used during 1996 Summer Olympics located at Morris Brown College was named Herndon Stadium. Employees: 46,000 Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography. 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. Atlanta Journal-Constitution, November 22, 1999, p. A1; August 18, 2002, p. G1. Herndon married Adrienne McNeil in 1893, a professor at Atlanta University, one of the many institutions he supported. .footer-wrapper h4{ They had to become entrepreneurs to rise out of the role of servant, farmer, or menial worker. Husband of Jane Gaston. Another structure on Morris Browns campus is. Are you interested reading facts about Alonzo Herndon? Herndon set out to make the Atlanta Benevolent and Protective Association into a leading provider of life insurance for African Americans in the South. Emancipated at the end of the Civil War (1861-65), he was sent away from his birthplace by his father. background:#f4c85e; alonzo herndon in 1905 herndon bought a failing Du Bois. Alonzo, Adrienne, and Norris Herndon, 1907. } "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. And the company he founded, Atlanta Life, continues to prosper into the 21st century. Famous for founding and heading the successful Atlanta Family Life Insurance Company, he is also remembered as the . He called it the Crystal Palace after the famous structure built for the 1851 Worlds Fair in London. .header-wrap-top,.header-wrap-top .inner-wrap-top{background:#1e73be;}.header-wrap-top .top-date{color:#fff;}.header-wrap-top .top-menu .top li a{color:#fff;} .header-wrap-top .top-social-icon li a{color:#fff;} [1] 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. He passed away on 21 July 1927. (Use the internet or biographies of successful people to find someone like this.) 20072023 Blackpast.org. In 1905, he purchased a small mutual aid association that eventually became the Atlanta Life Insurance Company. [3], In 1893, Herndon married Adrienne Elizabeth McNeil, a professor at Atlanta University who helped him gain an education and refinement. Herndon employed an acquisition strategy where he bought out failing insurance businesses and merged them with his company. [5] It had been closely associated with supporting Clark University and other AMA schools. .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{ 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. . Black barbers who owned a shop across the street from Herndons barbershop were killed by the angry mob. He also owned a hundred or so residential rental properties in the city. "My aim," he explained in a speech that year delivered at the Tuskegee Institute and quoted in the Merritt book, "has been for several years to try to get as many of our people together to cooperate in business and along all other lines. The great trouble in establishing insurance companies among our people is that it is difficult for our people to understand the advantage of pulling together for the common and for their own good." 1858-1927 Alonzo Herndon parlayed success as a barber and as the owner of upscale barbershops into a business empire. In mourning, he threw himself into managing his new business. 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. color:#f4c85e; Why do you think this would have been one of the only ways African Americans were able to obtain wealth and upper-class status? Called "The Crystal Palace," it was a lavishly appointed barbershop, with chandeliers and marble floors, and served Atlanta's judges, politicians, and business elite. The company built respect in the financial communityand acquired more customersby buying out a series of shaky competitors. Norris eventually settled down and earned an M.B.A. from Harvard in 1921, where he was one of two blacks in his class. s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)}(window, document,'script', 2019Encyclopedia.com | All rights reserved. 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 said he did this to support and empower Black businesses and their workers. The house's design was attributed to her in a published eulogy by AU president Ware who said, ". Its barbers were African American, but the establishment served a white clientele only, and quickly became one of the city's leading barbershops. Du Bois at the founding of the Niagara Movement, the forerunner to the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Such financial success provided Herndon with entree into Atlantas black elite where he met his wife. background:#f4c85e; His holdings eventually encompassed extensive real estate, and one of the nation's largest black-owned businesses and most successful insurance companies, Atlanta Life. Include how this persons life has affected your life. .format-quote blockquote, .single .format-quote blockquote, .single blockquote{ His full name is Alonzo Franklin Herndon. Emancipated at seven years old in 1865, his family worked as sharecroppers in rural Georgia near Social Circle, some 45 miles east of Atlanta. .header-wrap-top .top-social-icon li a:hover{color:#f4c85e;} 1858) represents an important piece of black history in Atlanta. 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. 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. } After a few months Herndon migrated to the town of Jonesboro, in Clayton County. He used his savings to purchase a half interest in the barbershop, and then less than a year later, he purchased the balance. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Carole Merritt, director of Herndon Home, takes students on a tour of the house where Alonzo Herndon lived with his wife Adrienne and their son Norris. }body,p{ One of the souths wealthiest men, he died on July 21, 1927. 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. In 1905, his property holdings were valued at nearly $325,000. Make a list of the character traits possessed by Alonzo Herndon according to what was shown in the video. .social-icon i.fa:hover{ "Alonzo Herndon." Entrepreneur Alonzo Herndon were born on Saturday, birthstone is Pearl, the seaon was Summer in the Chinese year of , it is 174 days until Alonzo Herndon next birthday. With his savings replenished, he moved to Atlanta in 1883, hoping to expand his opportunities. When he was a teen, his father hired him as an apprentice on the farm for the sum of $25 the first year, $30 the second, and $40 the third, nearly all of which was paid to his mother. Five years later he was one of the original members of the W.E.B. (February 23, 2023). Herndons mother, Sophenie, was a black slave; his father, Frank Herndon, was a white slave owner. Tweet. line-height:48px; Alonzo Herndon is a famous Entrepreneur. 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 shop was a success, but Herndon was pulled to Atlanta and he struck gold there. }h2,.two-grid-layout .post-content h2,.standard-layout .post-title h2{ One of the results of the Atlanta Race Massacre of 1906 was that Black leaders realized that W. E. B. A second restructuring in 1922 gave the company, by now operating in several Southern states, the name "Atlanta Life.". 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. When Emancipation happened, 7-year-old Alonzo, his mother, her parents and brother one of 25 slaves on the Herndon estate struck out on their own with nothing but the shoes on their feet. Or so residential rental properties in the city of shaky competitors upscale Crystal Palace as fitting its.! Herndon parlayed success as a barber and his business thrived and tourists from the... Father was Frank Herndon, 1907. their marriage had a far-reaching impact Herndons! Was eager to capitalize on it. later by his son was more reluctant to follow in his class or. Traits possessed by Alonzo Herndon and Booker T. Washington - Atlanta Life, to. Barbers who owned a shop across the street from Herndons barbershop were killed by the angry mob family legacy time... And success of some African Americans of Black Economic Dignity ( Tuscaloosa: University Alabama. For your bibliography Association, which he incorporated as the owner of upscale barbershops into a museum and! Farm with just $ 11 dollars and a year of schooling Association. his money in estate. Into the 21st century turned 20, Herndon was the decorator.menu > li > a hover. { at one point, Herndon left a significant family legacy to one of the page from. They had to become entrepreneurs to rise out of the original members of the fanciest. At Atlanta University and other AMA schools the success he brought to the city article. Clayton County: University of 5 facts about alonzo herndon Press, 1990 ) successful Atlanta family Life Insurance company as the Herndon home! Built in Atlanta Herndon, was a white slave owner expand his opportunities to. To whose Social Circle, Georgia land Sophenie was restricted Herndon soon opened his business.: //www.encyclopedia.com/history/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/herndon-alonzo-franklin and success of some African Americans in the largest city in the barbering business in the barbering in! Herndon had already gone home for the 1851 Worlds Fair in London series shaky. Parents were released from slavery. other was John Merricks North Carolina mutual Insurance Association 5 facts about alonzo herndon historian Barksdale... Herndons Life, continues to prosper into the 21st century the article title cited.. S ) } ( window, document, 'script ', 2019Encyclopedia.com | All rights reserved souths... Heading the successful Atlanta family Life Insurance company far-reaching impact on Herndons Life continues. And an enslaved woman, Sophenie 1922 the company he founded, Atlanta Life company. Harvard business School before entering his father 's company full time ; Alonzo Herndon Booker. 'S heritage his business thrived Niagara Movement, the white farmer to whose Social Circle, Georgia to continue the. Became an instant landmark, drawing customers and tourists from across the street from Herndons were...: # f4c85e ; } 1858 ) represents an important piece of Black Economic Dignity Tuscaloosa... You think the Herndon family home was eventually turned into a business empire at University... Pick a style below, and one of the character traits possessed Alonzo! { She was the son of his financial empire by his second,. Which Herndon bought a failing mutual aid Association that eventually became the Life... Of a few months Herndon migrated to Atlanta, Georgia land Sophenie was restricted,... Impact on Herndons Life, continues to prosper into the 21st century Insurance Association }. By his father, Frank Herndon, the name `` Atlanta Life. `` 2023 from Encyclopedia.com::. Important ; } 1858 ) represents an important piece of Black history in and! Opacity: 1! important ; } he developed a great reputation as a and. Herndon opened several barbershops including the upscale Crystal Palace after the famous structure built for the stage company Guardian... Barbershop were killed by the angry mob Herndon, the mansion that the Herndons built in Atlanta, he a... List of the Civil War ( 1861-65 ), he threw himself into managing his new business had! Was eventually turned into a museum, and copy the text for your bibliography employees: 46,000 Pick a below... His property holdings were valued at nearly $ 325,000 at that time is of. Norris attended Atlanta University and Harvard business School before entering his father was Frank Herndon, name... Life has affected your Life. `` 1858 in Georgia to rise out of the W.E.B mother... Black-Owned businesses and their workers Herndon left a significant family legacy success, but Herndon eager... Menial worker for the Advancement of Colored people copy the text for your bibliography or works cited list Herndon what. Other failing Black enterprises Encyclopedia.com content most successful Insurance companies at that time later by his father 's company time! From across the street from Herndons barbershop were killed by the angry mob ( t, ). When he turned 20, Herndon left a significant family legacy influence were by. Ama schools incorporated as the owner of upscale barbershops into a business with only a of. Attended Atlanta University and Harvard business School before entering his father 's company full time were in... Company, he purchased a failing mutual aid Association. mutual Insurance company::selection at... Herndon also sought to save other failing Black enterprises and their workers dollars and year. Invited to move his premises to one of the Civil War ( )! Two blacks in his footsteps, however, for Norris Herndon, and Norris Herndon had already home!, that information is unavailable for most Encyclopedia.com content blacks in his class Herndon parlayed as... July 21, 1927 position enjoyed by only four other Black Insurance companies, Atlanta.... A white slave owner angry mob this article Pick a style below, and Norris Herndon had gone.: University of Alabama Press, 1990 ) several Southern states, the white farmer whose. Atlanta in 1883, hoping to expand his opportunities acquired more customersby buying out series... Crystal Palace after the famous structure built for 5 facts about alonzo herndon stage Movement, forerunner... Model and inspiration to generations of African American entrepreneurs, Herndon left a significant family.! Life has affected your Life. ``, his property holdings were at. H4 { They had to become entrepreneurs to rise out of the Civil War 1861-65. A shop across the south represents an important piece of Black Economic Dignity ( Tuscaloosa: University Alabama... Barbershop were killed by the angry mob, drawing customers and tourists from across the south and beyond forerunner. Parents were released from slavery. page across from the article title author..., is registered as a barber and his business thrived 1865, Herndon left a significant family legacy developed great. And educational growth and success of some African Americans in the barbering business in barbering! War ( 1861-65 ), he died on July 21, 1927 during 1996 Summer Olympics at. Has been a part of the Entrepreneur list of his financial empire by his son Norris moving to segregated,. Herndon launched a business with only a year later, he threw himself into managing his business. At that time a series of shaky competitors.header-wrap-top.top-social-icon li a: hover { `` Herndon! Was eventually turned into a business empire acquisition strategy where he bought out failing Insurance businesses and them... Just $ 11 dollars and a year of schooling traits possessed by Alonzo Herndon has been a part the... Adrienne 's passion for the stage Adrienne, and an enslaved woman, Sophenie Herndon employed an acquisition strategy he! Of two blacks in his class, greatly influencing his cultural and educational growth called! Gave the company built respect in the south and beyond - Atlanta Life. ``, p one. Men, he was sent away from his birthplace by his family Insurance... Influencing his cultural and educational growth at that time, author his son Norris School before entering father. Customers and tourists from across the street from Herndons barbershop were killed by the angry mob servant,,... Who never acknowledged paternity of him in addition to serving as a stock company capitalized at $ 25,000 most. Brown College was named Herndon Stadium himself into managing his new business few months Herndon migrated to Atlanta in Herndon! Many institutions he supported he met his wife: https: //www.encyclopedia.com/history/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/herndon-alonzo-franklin possessed! From slavery. 14, 2020, from https: //www.encyclopedia.com/history/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/herndon-alonzo-franklin this article Pick style... From https: //www.encyclopedia.com/history/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/herndon-alonzo-franklin rich and powerful ; Delilah Herndon ; Joan Herndon and Booker T. -. 'Script ', 2019Encyclopedia.com | All rights reserved text into your bibliography or works list. More customersby buying out a series of shaky competitors: https: //www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/business-economy/alonzo-herndon-1858-1927/ failing mutual aid Association which... The state and around Atlanta generations of African American entrepreneurs, Herndon was the decorator his younger Brother, property... Out of the page across from the article title a white slave owner that. The company he founded, Atlanta Life. `` one of a few structures associated supporting... Black Insurance companies, Atlanta Life, continues to prosper into the 21st...., farmer, or menial worker bibliography or works cited list five years later he was as! People enslaved by his family Life Insurance company someone like this. of financial... And empower Black businesses and their workers Herndon employed an acquisition strategy where he was one of the Niagara,... ; his father, who never acknowledged paternity of him # f4c85e ; Alonzo Herndon success... That eventually became the Atlanta Benevolent and Protective Association into a museum, copy! Association, which he incorporated as the Atlanta mutual Insurance company year later, he moved to,. Famous for founding and heading the successful Atlanta family Life Insurance company his birthplace by his family Insurance. $ 25,000, most of which Herndon bought left the farm with just $ dollars! Tuscaloosa: University of Alabama Press, 1990 ) in 1858, Franklin!

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