Edward P. Allis graduated from Union College and moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he established a leather company. He later transitioned to iron products manufacturing, founding a significant manufacturing works. Allis built roller flour mills for prominent milling companies and was elected a fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers. His professional expertise and leadership capabilities were foundational to his later involvement in the Greenback Party and his advocacy for economic policy reform.

Edward P. Allis's political identity is marked by a unique blend of economic populism and industrial pragmatism. His advocacy for greenbacks and criticism of government financial policies reflect a populist stance, yet his successful ventures in manufacturing and engineering suggest a pragmatic approach to economic issues. Allis's legislative endeavors, including his runs for Governor and presidential nomination, reveal a calculated effort to balance regional industrial interests with broader economic reforms. His multifaceted career highlights a tension between his ideological leanings and practical business acumen, making his political philosophy both intriguing and complex.