Mr. Philip T. Woodfin, whose death is recorded elsewhere in the Messenger was for many years one of the prominent business men of Marblehead and was possessed of unusual persistency and force of character. Like many another in Marblehead, he went fishing in his earlier days to Grand Banks. Applying his mind to the study of navigation under the tuition of the late James B. Batchelder, he made such good progress that he was soon enabled to sail as skipper, and was afterwards offered the command of a merchant vessel, which he declined. In the winter, according to the custom of fishermen, he made shoes upon the seat. Giving up this occupation, at length, he went into the business of peddling fish. His next step was to purchase the Lynn express business of William Brown. This was in 1856. Three years later, at the time of the great strike in that city, he was severely injured by falling into the hands of the mob, who wrongly accused him of transporting shoes to Marblehead. With true Marblehead grit, and no man ever had more of it than he, he resisted as far as he was able, but the terrible beating he received was never fully outlived and advancing years only aggravated its effects. Until a comparatively recent time, however, Mr. Woodfin continued to personally attend to all the duties of his business, and in spite of his impaired health, his superb physical constitution and great strength enabled him to do an immense amount of work. He was also possessed of uncommon energy, and was always known as a pusher in whatever he undertook. He was a man straightforward in all his dealings and never hesitated to say the thing he meant.

It has been the custom of Mr. Woodfin in recent winters to sojourn with his son and namesake, Philip T. Woodfin, Jr., who is governor of the Soldiers' Home at Hampton, Va. In the salubrious climate of the "Old Dominion" he found much health and recuperation, and it was hoped would come back next spring, as usual, much benefited by the change. Until about a week ago it is said that he was in fairly good health, but the disease which he had so long withstood at last conquered his indomitable spirit and the end came. Deceased was a member of Samaritan Tent of Rechabites and Neptune Lodge, Knight of Pythias. He leaves a numerous family of children and grandchildren.

(Published Friday, January 17, 1890 in the Marblehead Messenger)