letter-spacing:0.7px; 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. 3. Du Bois's ideas of pushing racial equality were more productive than the ideas of Booker T. Washington. Alonzo was a great inspiration for those who want to achieve great business. .simplesocialbuttons.simplesocialbuttons_inline.simplesocial-simple-round button{
Find ou another businessman in Alberto Alessi facts. Henry McNeal Turner was for many years the leading advocate of black migration to Africa a, Public Company "I knew my mother would never consent to my leaving the farm, so I took my little hand trunk on my shoulder and stole silently away in the darkness of night," he wrote in a memoir, according to Carole Merritt's The Herndons: An Atlanta Family. Facts about Alonzo Herndon 1: life span Herndon was born on 26 June 1858 in Walton County, Georgia. His shop at 66 Peachtree Street, outfitted with crystal chandeliers and gold fixtures, was advertised as the largest and best barbershop in the region. 1858) represents an important piece of black history in Atlanta. Herndon was featured in The Crisis Magazine's Men of the Month in March 1921. 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. 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. } There he opened his first barbershop. It also was in 1905 that Herndon made the significant decision to enter the world of insurance finance, and purchased the struggling Atlanta Benevolent and Protective Association, which had been founded by a local African American pastor. In 1893, Herndon married Adrienne Elizabeth McNeil, a professor at Atlanta University, who influenced his cultural and educational growth. Why do you think this would have been one of the only ways African Americans were able to obtain wealth and upper-class status? 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. Herndon continued his to expand his insurance empire. border: 1px solid #f4c85e; In New Georgia Encyclopedia. The young Herndon was one of 25 slaves owned by his father, who .last-btn #menu >li:last-child > a { It also produced his only child, Norris, who succeeded him as chief executive of Atlanta Life Insurance Company.
You can visit it in Vine City at 587 University Place NW. .footer-wrapper li, 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. letter-spacing:0.4px; . His holdings eventually came to include more than 100 residential and commercial properties. s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)}(window, document,'script',
Luckily, Herndon had already gone home for the day. Herndon also sought to save other failing Black enterprises. !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");
Norris B. Herndon, his son also contributed a lot to the company since he made it into a multimillion dollar company. Alonzo Herndon. color:#f4c85e; At the time of his death in 1927, he was also Atlanta 's wealthiest Black citizen, owning more property than any other African American. .page-template-magazine-template.page .header-style-one .header #main-menu-wrapper a#pull:before { He was even a delegate to the first conference of the National Negro Business League organized by Washington in 1890, and was involved in Du Bois's 1905 Niagara Movement, a conference held in Fort Erie, Ontario that eventually led to the formation of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).
Alexa Benson Herndon, Atlanta Life Insurance Company: Guardian of Black Telephone: (215) 761-1000 Alonzo and Adrienne had a son, Norris. 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. James Oglethorpe Colonial Figures. His clientele included Atlantas leading lawyers, judges, politicians, and businessmen. .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);} background:#fff; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19192-1550 In 1905 he used his proceeds to purchase a failing insurance business in the city, naming it the Atlanta Mutual Insurance Association. Tweet. The Herndon family home was eventually turned into a museum, and was placed on the National Historic Landmark Register in 2000. his personal fortune grew, Herndon entered the field of insurance. background:#494bbc; Though Herndons successful businesses and investments made him a wealthy man, they did not protect him from the negative effects of racism. All Rights Reserved. Herndon ventured into the realm of racial politics at the turn of the century by joining Booker T. Washington in establishing the National Negro Business League. Are you interested reading facts about Alonzo Herndon?
} A small donation would help us keep this available to all. His new venture became the Atlanta Mutual Insurance Association, and by 1907 had 23 offices across Georgia. 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. .content .standard-layout .post.format-standard .post-img{ Its barbers were African American, but the establishment served a white clientele only, and quickly became one of the city's leading barbershops. At one point, Herndon was the wealthiest African-American in Atlanta. At the time of. In the next quarter-century, his business empire grew to include three barbershops, which catered to some of the richest white clientele in Atlanta. color:#fff;} Despite his beginnings as a slave, through hard work and determination Alonzo was able to make his own success. An extended European honeymoon was partly spent gathering furnishings to refit his Crystal Palace. color:#dd9933; The magnificent Beaux Arts mansion Herndon built for his first wife between 1905 and 1910 became an Atlanta landmark and tourist attraction. Born into slavery, he belonged to the first generation of successful African American entrepreneurs of the early twentieth century. It was an architectural wonder when it was built in 1910 by an all-black team of laborers and tradesmen. -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)} Mrs. Herndon and her stepson worked together in leading Atlanta Life to even greater success. Total Assets: $114.35 billion (1994) 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. (February 23, 2023). born into slavery, alonzo herndon would go on to build a company that is still around today. n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)};
}. In 1905, his property holdings were valued at nearly $325,000. In 1905, his property holdings were valued at nearly $325,000. When he was strong enough, at age 13, his former masterand biological fatheroffered him a job on the plantation as a farmhand, a position he held for the next seven years. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); List choice
Encyclopedia of World Biography. He decided to leave his Social Circle in 1878. 23 Feb. 2023 . One of Herndons most lasting contributions includes his role in establishing the United Negro College Fund. Public Co, 15 Mountain View Road, P.O. The legacy of Alonzo Herndon (b. #main-menu-wrapper nav .mega .thunk-widget-menu a:hover,#menu .mega-menu-posts a:hover, Sign up to receive GPB Event announcements via Email. Herndon was also active in the community in other areas.
He opened his own barbershop in Atlanta in 1886. [1] } } Many white men used African-American barbers in these years. 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. "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." .header-wrap-top .top-menu .top li a:hover{ 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. He was known for being a Entrepreneur. .simplesocialbuttons.simplesocialbuttons_inline .ssb-fb-like {
line-height:48px; letter-spacing:0.4px; At one point, Herndon was the wealthiest African-American in Atlanta. Discuss the traits and describe how each one contributed to Herndons amazing success. FUN FACTS. Incorporateci: 1866 as National Travelers Insurance Charles Clinton Spaulding was the United States preeminent black businessman of the early t, Public Company United States, From Rags to Riches: The Story of Alonzo Herndon, Copyright 2023, Georgia Public Broadcasting. 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. Within six months, Herndon became a sought-after talent in his new trade. In 1905, Herndon bought the business, then named the Atlanta Benevolent and Protective Association, and renamed it the Atlanta Life Insurance Company. 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. Du Bois Niagara Movement. [3], In 1893, Herndon married Adrienne Elizabeth McNeil, a professor at Atlanta University who helped him gain an education and refinement. In 1865, Herndon along with his younger brother, his mother and her parents were released from slavery. It is one of a few structures associated with Herndon in Atlanta and the success he brought to the city. At his death in 1927, his real estate was assessed at nearly $325,000. background:#f4c85e; .footer-wrapper td{ Even as a boy, however, Herndon exhibited an entrepreneurial spirit. Father of Larry Herndon; Roy V Herndon and Ora Herndon. Georgias rise from the ashes of civil war sparked a debate about development and the future of the state. ." Alonzo Franklin Herndon was an African American entrepreneur who founded and was the first president of Atlanta Life Insurance Company. Another structure on Morris Browns campus is. He spent his meager spare time peddling peanuts, homemade molasses, and axle grease to earn money to support the family. #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{
He incorporated it as the Atlanta Mutual Insurance Association. Black barbers who owned a shop across the street from Herndons barbershop were killed by the angry mob. B. Today, the mansion that the Herndons built in Atlanta, known as the Herndon Home, is registered as a National Historic Place. 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. Merritt, The Herndons: An Atlanta Family (Athens: University of Georgia 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. Fittingly, Herndon had asked that his pallbearers be drawn from among his barber staff. Web site: http://www.cigna.com .home .navigation .menu > li > a:hover, .home .navigation ul li a:hover, .home header #main-menu-wrapper .menu-item-has-children > a:hover:after, Famous for founding and heading the successful Atlanta Family Life Insurance Company, he is also remembered as the .
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 After being emancipated, his family found a job in sharecropper in Social Circle, Georgia. } 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. color:#999; His son Norris attended Atlanta University and Harvard Business School before entering his father's company full time. Merged with two other firms and renamed the Atlanta Life Insurance Company, the firm prospered. As for Atlanta LIfe, it exists today as Atlanta Life Financial Group, located at.
They had one son together, Norris B. Herndon. 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. 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. New Georgia Encyclopedia, last modified Jul 14, 2020. https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/business-economy/alonzo-herndon-1858-1927/, Henderson, A. } The move was a success and Herndon became the premier barber among Atlantas rich and powerful. Death: Immediate Family: Son of Stephen C Herndon and Lucinda Philpot McGowan.
color:#494bbc; color:#494bbc!important; He went to Jonesboro, Clayton County on foot. color:#606060; Henderson, Alexa. Five years later he was one of the original members of the W.E.B. /*inline margin*/
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. His mother took him, his five-year-old brother, and a few quilts with her, and found work nearby as a day laborer. color:#5a5d5a; The Ten Most Interesting Little Known Black History Facts, https://blackamericaweb.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2014/10/102214lkbhf.mp3. 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. Alonzo Herndon began construction on the house in 1905 and it was substantially complete when Adrienne Herndon died after a brief illness in 1910. Freed by the 13th Amendment, Herndon and his mother, younger brother, and maternal grandparents became sharecroppers. Twice Herndon's businesses were destroyed by fire: once in 1896 after a gas stove across the street from the Markham ignited its building and leveled the hotel, and again in 1902 when his new place on Marietta Street ignited in a fire that destroyed an entire city block. 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.