Woodruff was born in Ionia, Michigan on March 31, 1839. During the Civil War he served in the 1st United States Sharpshooters as a sergeant. He served in this role at the Battle of Boydton Plank Road on October 27, 1864 in which he earned his Medal of Honor. He died on February 10, 1917 and was buried in Valley Cemetery, Luther, Michigan.