Legislator Details
Image Description:
Portrait captured from Find-a-Grave.com, 7/14/2025
Number of sessions served 5
Gender: Male
Age at election: 33
Vital Records Information:
Birth
Date: 10/10/1859
City: Wyandotte, MI
County: Wayne County, MI
Country: US
Death
Date: 10/6/1933
City: Wyandotte, MI
County: Wayne County, MI
Country: US
Type of Burial: interred
Burial
Date: 10/9/1933
City: Detroit, MI
County: Wayne County, MI
Country: US
Cemetery: Woodmere Cemetery
Marital Information:
married Ida A. Ocobock of Wyandotte, 10/10/1877, in Wyandotte, MI; children: 4, Maude W. (Eberts), Myrtle W. (Eberts), Ari Harrison and Grace W. (Begole)
Number of Children: 4
Background
Religion:
Military Service:
Occupation: farmer, lawyer
Race: Caucasian or White
Education:
common schools and Wyandotte H.S.
Biographical Sketch:
Of Irish ancestry. Son of Alexander and Elizabeth (Nowland) Woodruff. Admitted to the bar, 1894. Served as circuit court commissioner, 1897-1900. First president of Ford village, a position he held for 4 terms. He farmed until 1893 and was admitted to the bar in 1894. Served as justice of the peace for 12 years; president of the board of education; and was from 1897-1900.
Notable Facts:
Death certificate gives birth date s 10/7/1857.
Father of Rep./Sen. Ari Harrison Woodruff [1915-24/ 1925-32]
He had diabetes; died of a cerebral thrombosis.
First president of Ford village.
Sessions Served:
Committees Served On: City Corporations , Michigan Employment Institution for the Blind , Northern State Normal School , Asylum for the Criminal Insane
County of Residence Wayne
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Departed
Notes: Committee chairmanship: Northern State Normal School
Committees Served On: Fish and Fisheries , Lumber and Salt , Revision and Amendment of the Statutes
City of Residence: Wyandotte
County of Residence Wayne
District Description: City of Wyandotte; townships of Ecorce, Monguagon and Springwells
Date Left Office: 1/1/1753
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Re-elected
Notes: Committee chairmanship: Fish and Fisheries
Committees Served On: Fish and Fisheries , Lumber and Salt , Revision and Amendment of the Statutes
City of Residence: Wyandotte
County of Residence Wayne
District Description: City of Wyandotte; townships of Ecorce, Monguagon and Springwells
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Re-elected
Committees Served On: Institution for the Deaf , Private Corporations , Select Committee on Governor's Message, Select Committee on Municipal legislation
City of Residence: Wyandotte
County of Residence Wayne
District Description: City of Wyandotte; townships of Dearborn, Ecorse, Greenfield, Grosse Pointe, Hamtramck and Springwells
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Departed
Committees Served On: Michigan Asylum for Insane Criminals, Military Affairs , Towns and Counties
City of Residence: Wyandotte
County of Residence Wayne
District Description: City of Wyandotte; townships of Dearborn, Ecorse, Greenfield, Grosse Pointe, Hamtramck and Springwells
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Re-elected
Bibliography:
MIBiog 2:471-72; Manual 1893 p.624; Michiganology; USCen 1900, 1910; Find-a-Grave.com, includes portrait; Manual 1907 p. 730-31; MIMarRec 1867-1952