After serving in the Navy during World War I he attended Centre College in nearby Danville, Kentucky, but did not graduate, leaving after two years in 1921 to work in his family's laundry business, becoming vice president of it by 1930.

His administration is remembered for the Mallon Plan, a failed attempt to annex large portions of Jefferson County, which were beginning to develop quickly as suburbs of Louisville.

He also signed an order officially ending racial segregation in Louisville's public parks and pools in 1955.

He died of a heart attack in 1972 and is buried in Cave Hill Cemetery.

The Mayor Andrew Broaddus a lifesaving station, is named in his honor.