As a young man in Chicago, Charles Rudolph Walgreen worked in drugstores while studying pharmacy in his free time. After serving in the Spanish-American War, he became a registered pharmacist. In 1902, he bought his first drugstore in Chicago. By 1916, he was so successful that he formed the Walgreen Company. Under his leadership, both as a trusted pharmacist and an entrepreneur, the company grew and more stores were purchased. In addition to pharmaceuticals, Walgreen added other goods to the stores to draw customers. Some even credit him with creating the drugstore soda fountain where the first malted milk was served. Walgreen retired in 1934 with more than 500 Walgreen stores across the country under his direction. He died on Dec. 11, 1939.

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