Charles H. Allen graduated from Amherst College in 1869 and began his career in the lumber business with his father. He transitioned into public service, serving in the Massachusetts House of Representatives and Senate before holding a congressional seat. Allen held various appointments, including a role as Massachusetts Prison Commissioner and Assistant Secretary of the Navy. As the first civilian governor of Puerto Rico, he faced criticism for prioritizing U.S. business interests over local infrastructure and education needs. After his political career, Allen became a prominent figure in finance, notably building the American Sugar Refining Company.

Charles H. Allen's political career reveals a blend of economic opportunism and governance oversight. His establishment of the American Sugar Refining Company and favorable policies during his governorship in Puerto Rico suggest a calculated approach to leveraging political power for economic gain. Allen's administration faced criticism for neglecting local infrastructure and education, instead favoring no-bid contracts and subsidies for U.S. businesses. This juxtaposition of economic ambition with governance neglect raises questions about his underlying motivations and priorities.