Little is known of the early life of M. W. Brother Charles Alexander Woodward. He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio on December 6, 1827 and subsequently moved to Cleveland, Ohio.
He received his Entered Apprentice Degree on November 13, 1855 in Cleveland City Lodge No. 15, a week later his Fellow Craft Degree, and a week later, on November 27, 1855, his Master Mason Degree.
He was exalted to the Most Sublime degree of Royal Arch Mason in Webb Chapter, No. 14, R. A. M. April 16th, 1857; was knighted in Oriental Commandery, No. 12, Knights Templar, September 5th 1864. Received the 32nd degree of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite on March 25th, 1865, and was made an Honorary 330 member of the Supreme Council of that Rite, June 18, 1870.
He was elected to and served in all the various Bodies of the York and Scottish Rite in Ohio. That his Masonic life was full of work is shown by the fact that he served as Worshipful Master of Cleveland City Lodge No. 15, in the years 1858, 1859, 1860, 1869, and 1870.
He was Most Excellent High Priest of Webb Chapter, No. 14, Royal Arch Masons, of Cleveland, Ohio in the years 1863, 1864, 1865, 1867, 1872 and 1873.
He was Thrice Illustrious Master of Cleveland Council, No. 36, Royal and Select Masons, of Cleveland, Ohio in 1867 and 1868.
He was Eminent Commander of Oriental Commandery, No 12 Knights Templars, of Cleveland in 1867, 1868 and 1869; He was Grand Generalissimo of the Grand Commandery for Ohio in 1868.
He was Thrice Potent Master of Elidah Lodge of Perfection, of Cleveland from 1868 to 1874 and from 1878 to 1893. He was Deputy Master of Bahurim Council, Princes of Jerusalem, 1868 to 1881 and 1884 to 1894. He was Most Wise Master of Ariel Chapter Rose Croix 1873 and 1874. He was Treasurer of Ariel Chapter Rose Croix 1875 to 1898. He was Treasurer of Lake Erie Consistory 1889 to 1899.
He was a factor in the exemplification of all the degrees in A. A. S. R. from Fourth to Thirty-second. No part was too humble or exalted, but he gave to it his marvelous personality.
His first office in Grand Lodge occurred in the fall of 1872 when he was elected to his first of three terms as Deputy Grand Master.
He served as Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Ohio from October 1875 until October 1877. This was a time when much serious discussion in all Grand Lodges centered about the question of “colored Masonry”.
He was a warm and earnest friend of The Ohio Masonic Home, and has shown his zeal for that institution in many ways.
M. W. Brother Woodward was not only an industrious and thorough worker in the mysteries of the Craft, but found time to carry on his business interests in a most successful manner. His integrity and capacity for work, combined with strong mentality and a vigorous constitution, enabled him to accomplish successfully all of the varied things that claimed his attention, both in Masonry and in business. He left a record and an influence, particularly in this Order that furnished an example and incentive to others to emulate his character and achievements.
On October 20, 1875, the Grand Lodge was convened and granted Woodward Lodge No. 508 its Charter. At this assembly Charles A. Woodward was elected and installed Most Worshipful Grand Master and as one of his first official duties called a special communication for November 10th to constitute Woodward Lodge and install its officers.
M. W. Brother Woodward passed away at Cleveland, Ohio on February 15, 1907. He was interred in Woodland Cemetery, Section 8, Lot 58, Cleveland, Ohio.