Bandy.John.Leroy.1856.Breckinridge.BIOSFrom: KyArchives 
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Subject: Bandy.John.Leroy.1856.Breckinridge.BIOS


John Leroy Bandy March 17, 1856 - 
Breckinridge County KyArchives Biography 
Author: A Memorial and Biographical Record of Iowa Chicago: The Lewis Publishing 
Company, 1896 
JOHN LEROY BANDY, one of the wealthiest and most widely known merchants of 
Redfield, Iowa, conducting a large confectionery establishment, restaurant and 
grocery store, was born on the 17th of March, 1856, on his father's farm near 
Bewleyville, Breckinridge county, Kentucky, and is the fifth in a family of 
ten children, whose parents were Byron and Caroline (Jordan) Bandy. The father 
was born January 6, 1824, the mother in January, 1830, and both are still 
living on the old home farm where they located soon after their marriage and 
where our subject was born. It is also within six miles of the birthplace of 
the father. Both Mr. and Mrs. Bandy were reared in Kentucky, but were 
descended from old Virginian families, their parents having lived in that 
State. The paternal grandfather of our subject enlisted for service in the war 
of 1812, when but sixteen years of age. It was also the intention of the 
maternal grandfather to enter the army at that time, but a neighbor, who 
disliked to see him leave his young wife and children alone persuaded him to 
remain at home, while the neighbor, taking Mr. Jordan 's horse, clothing and 
supplies, went to the war in his place, Prior to the Civil war Byron Bandy had 
three slaves given him, one of whom is still in his service, but these are all 
the negroes that he ever owned. He lived in a neutral section of the country 
and having a large family depending on him he joined neither the Northern or 
Southern armies during the Civil war. In his family were ten children, but 
four of the number died before reaching maturity, namely: Benjamin Franklin, 
Charles, Rachel and James. Those still living are Richard, Elizabeth, Silas, 
William, John L. and Lottie. Mr. Bandy of this sketch spent the first twenty 
years of his life on the old farm, giving his father the benefit of his 
services. Wishing to see more of the world than came within the line of his 
vision at the home of his boyhood, he then bade adieu to friends and family 
and for twelve years traveled extensively over the United States. He had no 
capital but worked as he found opportunity, and living an industrious and 
frugal life he accumulated a small capital, which enabled him to begin 
business in his own interest. About 1882 he began work on a farm near 
Redfield, Iowa, where he remained during the greater part of the six 
succeeding years. 
In July, 1888, Mr. Bandy opened a small confectionery store in Redfield, his 
stock and fixtures representing but $92.50. He was successful, however, in his 
new undertaking, and as his trade increased he enlarged his facilities and, 
being careful not to get into debt and adding to his stock from time to time, 
he is now considered one of the wealthiest merchants in Redfield. He has long 
since removed to more commodious and desirable quarters, and in addition to 
his fine and well appointed confectionery store he conducts a first-class 
restaurant and carries a large stock of groceries. In 1890 he purchased one of 
the best business corners in the town and erected a good two-story building, 
the upper floor of which is occupied by the Clipper, a newspaper, and the 
first floor by a general store, in which Mr. Bandy owns a half interest. He is 
also half owner of a tract of sixteen acres of valuable land, of which eight 
acres has been divided into town lots. He carries on business as a dealer in 
grain, poultry and produce, and his extensive business operations yield to him 
a handsome income. He was instrumental in establishing the Redfield Co- 
operative Creamery, which has proved of great benefit to the surrounding 
country, and of the company he is now treasurer. He was vice-president of the 
Northwestern Oil, Gas & Mineral Company during 1893 and 1894, and is now one 
of the directors. He is a man of broad and superior capabilities, sagacious 
and far-sighted, and his laudable ambition and enterprise have been the 
integral factors in his success. On the 30th of July, 1890, Mr. Bandy was 
united in marriage to Miss Hattie Chance, who a was born and reared in Dallas 
county, Iowa, In politics he is a Democrat on questions of State and national 
importance, but at local elections, where no issue is involved, votes 
independently of party affiliations. Entirely without his solicitation and 
without his knowledge he was nominated by the Democracy in July, 1895, for the 
office of County Treasurer. He is a public-spirited citizen devoted to the 
national welfare and all that pertains to the upbuilding of his resident 
community. His kindliness and benevolence are manifest in his liberal 
contributions to many charities.  



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