Alonzo Herndon was the former slave that after being emancipated at the end of the Civil War founded the Atlanta Life Insurance Company, one of the most successful black-owned insurance businesses in the nation. He was born into slavery on June 26th of 1858, in Wanton County, a few miles from Atlanta. His father was the white master of the farm, and his mother a slave. After the Civil War ended, Alonzo gained his freedom and was sent away by his father. After several years of all types of struggle, he learnt the art of barbering and became the owner of a successful barbershop in Atlanta. With his business growing and his fortune expanding, Herndon invested in insurance and founded the Atlanta Life Insurance Company, becoming the first president of the company. The Atlanta Life Insurance Company became one of the biggest and most successful black owned companies during the 1920's.