Charles Rudolph Walgreen

Charles Rudolph Walgreen (October 9, 1873 – December 11, 1939) was a United States drugstore businessman. He was born in Galesburg, Illinois, the son of Swedish emigrants. After being inspired by his doctor, Walgreen became a registered pharmacist. Walgreen served in the Spanish-American War as a member the 1st Illinois Volunteer Cavalry. After being discharged, Walgreen returned to America to work for pharmacist Issac Blood. Blood retired and Walgreen bought the drug store and founded the Walgreens drugstores in 1901, for which he was the eponym. His son Charles Rudolph Walgreen, Jr. (March 4, 1906 – February 10, 2007) and grandson Charles R. Walgreen III both shared his name and played prominent roles in the company he founded.