The Biographical Dictionary of America/Allen, Charles Herbert

ALLEN, Charles Herbert, naval official, was born in Lowell, Mass., April 15, 1848; son of Otis and Louisa (Bixby) Allen. He was graduated at Amherst A.B., 1869; A.M., 1872, and became a lumber manufacturer, in partnership with his father. He was a state representative, 1882-'83, a state senator, 1884; a member of Governor Robinson's staff, with rank of colonel; a representative in the 49th and 50th congresses, 1885-'89; the unsuccessful Republican candidate for governor of Massachusetts in 1891; state prison commissioner, 1897-'98; and assistant secretary of the navy, under Secretary Long, 1898-1901, succeeding Theodore Roosevelt, May 9, 1898. He was appointed governor of Porto Rico in 1900, and held the office from that year.