He was born in Damariscotta, Maine, December 13, 1848. His father, Samuel Woodward, was a ship-carpenter, and a member of the school committee of his town. His mother's maiden name was Jerusha Erskine Baker, and he traces his descent to John Alden and Priscilla Mullen, of Mayflower fame. His physical condition in childhood and in youth was good. And his specially strong desire was for an education. Until he was fifteen he lived in the country, and at that age he went to Boston. In early life he was a clerk in a country store, and it was with difficulty that he secured a common school education. For a time he attended Lincoln academy in Newcastle, Maine.
He esteems his church and Sunday school work, his connection with Columbian (now George Washington) university as a trustee, and his work in connection with the Young Men's Christian Association of Washington, as the principal public services he has rendered. The only public office ever held by him has been that of honorary chairman of the Board of Charities of the District of Columbia. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity; of the Republican club, of New York; National Arts club; and the Reform club of New York. He is now a Republican, although he was formerly a gold Democrat. He changed his party allegiance on the silver issue. His reading lies along the line of history, biography and economics. His earliest recollection is that his parents wished him to be a merchant, and he says his first motto, given him by his first employer, "Anything worth doing at all, is worth doing well," was his inspiration in striving to succeed in life. Home, and contact with men in active life, have been the two leading and directing influences in his career.
Mr. Woodward is vice-president of the National Metropolitan Bank; president of the Colonial Fire Insurance Company; ex-president and now director of the Washington Board of Trade; president of the Columbia Realty and Appraisal Company; president of the Board of Charities; a member of the Board of Managers of the Public Library; a trustee of Calvary Baptist church, and a member of the International committee of the Young Men's Christian Association.
He was married June 24, 1874, to Mary Catharine Wade. They have had six children, five of whom were living in 1905.
