Born in Carlinville, Illinois. Attended University of Kansas. Received LL.B. from George Washington University in 1906. Admitted to the bar in Washington, D.C. in 1906. Married Elizabeth T. Woods December 12, 1912.

He served as a private with the U. S. volunteers in the Spanish American War. He was a clerk in the War Department in Washington until 1908. He transferred to the Treasury Department and worked there until the war. He was a major in the ordinance department of the U. S. Army in World War I. He was appointed a member of the War Loan Staff 1923 to 1927.

He was appointed by President Coolidge as Register of the Treasury and served October 1, 1927, to January 17, 1929. As Register of the Treasury, his signature appears on paper money issued during the period. (series of 1923)

Appointed Treasurer of the United States serving January 18, 1929, to May 31, 1933. As Treasurer of the United States his signature appears on paper money issued during the period. They included series 1928-A, 1928-B, 1928-C and 1928-D. He was the author of The Story of Uncle Sam's Money in 1932.

Woods was a member of the BPOE. He died in Washington, D. C.

bio: NCAB 40; WWWA-3 obit: NYT 6/9/51