He represented Harbour Main in the Newfoundland House of Assembly from 1889 to 1900 and from 1908 to 1928.
[1] The son of William Woodford, a sealing captain, and Sarah Cole, he was born in St. John's and was educated at Saint Bonaventure's College.
Woodford also managed real estate holdings acquired by his father.
Originally a Liberal, he became a Conservative in 1897 and was named to the cabinet as Minister of Public Works.
Woodford returned to the assembly in 1908 as a member of the Newfoundland People's Party.