Charles H. Drew was born in Kingston, Massachusetts on May 20, 1853, a son of Seth D. and Emily (Robbins) Drew. He married Harriet Holmes of Kingston on July 7, 1879, by whom he was the father of: Clarence R. Drew and Emily F. Drew, the latter being a locally famous historian. He died on May 19, 1937.

Emily F. Drew quotes her father Charles as follows: "Entry into the factory life [at C. Drew & Co.] came in 1871 when, as a lad 18 years of age, I followed the course my father had taken by becoming an apprentice, on a salary of $50.00 and my board, for the first year's work. For the second year I was paid $60.00 in addition to board, and the third year brought me the joyful raise to $20.00 per month. At the age of 21, I was hired at wages equal to what was being paid to other men on the same class of work, and was supposed to be able to do anything on any regular lines of manufacturing in the factory." Charles H. Drew became a partner of the firm in 1877.

Improvements introduced into the C. Drew factory at the desire of Charles H. Drew included power shears and a Bradley Hammer.

According to an obituary notice that appeared in the May 20, 1937 issue of the Old Colony Memorial, "He attended the Kingston schools, and when a lad, on account of ill health, made two voyages to sea, one to the Mediterranean and one to South America. He was always interested in yachting, and owned the racing boat Major D. Mr. Drew has always been active in town [Kingston] affairs, and was one of the first members of the Board of Trustees of the Frederic C. Adams Public Library, and for many years was a member of the Board of Water Commissioners of the town. He was a member of the First Parish Church, and for years, chairman of the Parish committee, treasurer, and clerk. In 1872 he entered the firm of C. Drew and Co. iron workers, retiring in 1925, after more than fifty years of service in the firm, at which time he was the senior member of the senior firm in Kingston."