Charles R. Walgreen Sr.

Walgreen was born on October 9, 1873, on a farm near Galesburg, Illinois, and moved with his family to Dixon in 1887. At the age of 16, he first worked in a drugstore, and he later became an apprentice pharmacist there.⁠[1][2][1]

In 1893, Walgreen came to Chicago, where he worked as an $18-a-week drugstore clerk and studied pharmacy at night.⁠[1]

In 1901, Walgreen bought the drugstore where he worked as a pharmacist. Located in Barrett’s Hotel at Cottage Grove and Bowen Avenue on Chicago’s South Side, it was the first Walgreens store.⁠[3][2]

In 1909, Walgreen opened a second store, marking the start of the chain’s expansion; by 1913 there were 4 stores, rising to 9 in 1916 and reaching 20 in 1920.⁠[2][1][2]

In 1928, Walgreen insisted that the company pay Black and white pharmacists the same.⁠[3]

By 1929, Walgreens had reached 525 stores and had entered major markets including New York City and Florida.⁠[2]

In 1937, Walgreen donated $550,000 to the University of Chicago to establish the Charles R. Walgreen Foundation for the Study of American Institutions, for research and instruction in American institutions.⁠[2][4]

In the summer of 1939, Walgreen resigned as president of Walgreen Co. and became chairman of the board, and his son Charles R. Walgreen Jr. succeeded him as president.⁠[4][1]

On December 11, 1939, Walgreen died at his home in Chicago at the age of 66.⁠[4][5]

After taking over his first store, Walgreen installed bright new lights, widened the aisles, broadened the selection of merchandise, kept prices fair, and personally greeted every customer.⁠[2][2]