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{{short description|American businessman and founder of Walgreens}}
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{{Refimprove|date=December 2014}}
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{{for|his son|Charles Rudolph Walgreen Jr.}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2019}}
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{{More citations needed|date=December 2014}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
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| name = Charles Rudolph Walgreen
| image = Charles R. Walgreen.jpg
| image = Charles R. Walgreen.jpg
| caption = Walgreen, pictured above, is the founder of Walgreens.
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1873|10|09}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1873|10|09}}
| birth_place = [[Knoxville, Illinois]]
| birth_place = [[Dixon, Illinois]], U.S.
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1939|12|11|1873|10|09}}
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1939|12|11|1873|10|09}}
| death_place = [[Cuba]]
| death_place = [[Chicago, Illinois]], U.S.
| occupation = Businessman
| death_cause = [[malaria]] and [[yellow fever]]
⚫
| known_for = Founding [[Walgreens]]
| nationality = American
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| occupation = Founder of [[Walgreens]]
| net_worth =
| spouse = Myrtle Norton Walgreen<ref>[http://news.walgreens.com/article_print.cfm?article_id=2822] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726092010/http://news.walgreens.com/article_print.cfm?article_id=2822 |date=July 26, 2011 }}</ref>
| spouse = Myrtle Norton Walgreen<ref>[http://news.walgreens.com/article_print.cfm?article_id=2822] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726092010/http://news.walgreens.com/article_print.cfm?article_id=2822 |date=July 26, 2011 }}</ref>
| children = [[Charles Rudolph Walgreen, Jr.]]<br>Ruth Walgreen
| children = 2, including [[Charles Rudolph Walgreen Jr.|Charles&nbsp;Jr.]]
| residence =
| alma_mater = Dixon Business College
| alma_mater = Dixon Business College
| website =
| website =
| signature =
| signature =
| parents = Carl Magnus Olofsson
}}
}}
'''Charles Rudolph Walgreen''' (October 9, 1873 &ndash; December 11, 1939) was an [[United States|American]] [[businessman]] who founded [[Walgreens]].
'''Charles Rudolph Walgreen''' (October 9, 1873 – December 11, 1939) was an American businessman and the founder of [[Walgreens]].


==Background==
==Background==
He was born in [[Knoxville, Illinois]] before moving to [[Galesburg, Illinois]] at a young age. He is the son of [[Sweden|Swedish]] immigrants.
He was born in [[Dixon, Illinois]], before moving to [[Galesburg, Illinois]], at a young age. He was the son of [[Sweden|Swedish]] immigrants.


In the 1790s, Charles's great-great-great-grandfather, Sven Olofsson, adopted the surname ''Wahlgren'', {{IPA-sv|vɑːlgreːn}} during his military service, a family fact passed down over the generations. When Charles's father, Carl Magnus Olofsson, came to America from Sweden, he decided to change the family name ''Walgreen''.<ref>[https://books.google.fi/books?id=mBeukWeLRmcC&printsec=frontcover&hl=fi&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false America's Corner Store: Walgreen's Prescription for Success] Google Books</ref> When Charles was still quite young he and his family relocated to [[Dixon, Illinois]] in 1887. He attended [[Dixon High School (Illinois)|Dixon High School]], Dixon, IL (1889) and Dixon Business College. He was a member of the international fraternity [[Tau Kappa Epsilon]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thezephyr.com/backtrack/cwalgreen.htm|title=BACKTRACKING|publisher=Thezephyr.com|accessdate=11 December 2014}}</ref>
In the 1790s, Charles's great-great-great-grandfather, Sven Olofsson, adopted the surname ''Wahlgren'' ({{IPA-sv|ˈvɑ̂ːlɡreːn}}){{citation needed|date=October 2019}} during his military service, a family fact passed down over the generations. When Charles's father, Carl Magnus Olofsson, came to America from Sweden, he decided to change the family name to ''Walgreen''.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=mBeukWeLRmcC America's Corner Store: Walgreen's Prescription for Success] Google Books</ref> When Charles was still quite young he and his family relocated to [[Dixon, Illinois]], in 1887. He attended [[Dixon High School (Illinois)|Dixon High School]], Dixon Business College. He was a member of the international fraternity [[Tau Kappa Epsilon]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thezephyr.com/backtrack/cwalgreen.htm|title=BACKTRACKING|publisher=Thezephyr.com|accessdate=December 11, 2014}}</ref>


As a young adult, he lost part of a finger in an accident at a shoe factory. The doctor who treated him persuaded him to become an apprentice for a local druggist. His interest in pharmacy dated from the time he was employed by D.S. Horton, a druggist in Dixon where he was apprenticed as a pharmacist. In 1893, Walgreen went to [[Chicago]] and became a registered pharmacist.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dol.gov/oasam/programs/laborhall/2006_walgreen.htm |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2009-06-17 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090510075313/https://www.dol.gov/oasam/programs/laborhall/2006_walgreen.htm |archivedate=2009-05-10 |df= }}</ref> At the start of the [[Spanish–American War]], Walgreen enlisted with the [[1st Illinois Volunteer Cavalry]]. While serving in Cuba, he contracted [[malaria]] and [[yellow fever]], which continued to plague him for the rest of his life.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://genealogytrails.com/ill/lee/leewalgreen.html|title=LEE COUNTY ILLINOIS GENEALOGY AND HISTORY|publisher=Genealogytrails.com|accessdate=11 December 2014}}</ref>
As a young adult, he lost part of a finger in an accident at a shoe factory. The doctor who treated him persuaded him to become an apprentice for a local druggist. His interest in pharmacy dated from the time he was employed by D.S. Horton, a druggist in Dixon where he was apprenticed as a pharmacist. In 1893, Walgreen went to Chicago and became a registered pharmacist.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dol.gov/oasam/programs/laborhall/2006_walgreen.htm |title=U.S. Department of Labor - Labor Hall of Fame - Charles R. Walgreen |accessdate=17 June 2009 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090510075313/https://www.dol.gov/oasam/programs/laborhall/2006_walgreen.htm |archivedate=May 10, 2009 }}</ref> At the start of the [[Spanish–American War]], Walgreen enlisted with the [[1st Illinois Volunteer Cavalry]]. While serving in Cuba, he contracted [[malaria]] and [[yellow fever]], which continued to plague him for the rest of his life.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://genealogytrails.com/ill/lee/leewalgreen.html|title=LEE COUNTY ILLINOIS GENEALOGY AND HISTORY|publisher=Genealogytrails.com|accessdate=December 11, 2014}}</ref>


==Careers==
==Career==
After his discharge, Walgreen returned to Chicago and worked as a pharmacist for [[Isaac Blood]]. In 1901, when Blood retired, Walgreen bought the store from him. He opened a second store in 1909, and by 1916 owned nine drug stores, which he incorporated as Walgreen Co. Walgreens was one of the first chains to carry non-pharmaceuticals as a mainstay of the store's retail selection. Walgreens offered low-priced lunch counters, built its own ice cream factory, and introduced the malted milk shake in 1922. By 1927, Walgreen had established 110 stores.
After his discharge, Walgreen returned to Chicago and worked as a pharmacist for Isaac Blood. In 1901, he opened a second store in 1909 and by 1916 owned nine drug stores, which he incorporated as Walgreen Co. Walgreens was one of the first chains to carry non-pharmaceuticals as a mainstay of the store's retail selection. Walgreens offered low-priced lunch counters, built its own ice cream factory, and introduced the malted milk shake in 1922. By 1927, Walgreen had established 110 stores.


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. His daughter, Ruth Walgreen, married [[Justin Whitlock Dart|Justin Whitlock Dart, Sr.]]. Dart left the Walgreens company after they divorced, and went on to control rival [[Rexall]] Drug Stores in 1943.<ref>[http://www.il.ngb.army.mil/History/famous/walgreen.htm] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050424084740/http://www.il.ngb.army.mil/History/famous/walgreen.htm |date=April 24, 2005 }}</ref> Ruth, in her adult years a published poet, eventually remarried and began spending winters in [[Tucson, Arizona]], where in the early 1960s she was instrumental in establishing the [[University of Arizona Poetry Center|Poetry Center]] at the [[University of Arizona]].
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. His daughter, Ruth Walgreen, married [[Justin Whitlock Dart Sr.|Justin Whitlock Dart]], who left the Walgreens company after they divorced and went on to control the rival [[Rexall]] Drug Stores in 1943.<ref>[http://www.il.ngb.army.mil/History/famous/walgreen.htm] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050424084740/http://www.il.ngb.army.mil/History/famous/walgreen.htm |date=April 24, 2005}}</ref> Ruth, in her adult years a published poet, eventually remarried and began spending winters in [[Tucson, Arizona]], where in the early 1960s, she was instrumental in establishing the [[University of Arizona Poetry Center|Poetry Center]] at the [[University of Arizona]].


He is a member of the [[Labor Hall of Fame]].
He is a member of the [[Labor Hall of Fame]].


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


==Sources==
==Sources==
*Griffin, Marie. ''Industry 'Legends' Deserve Recognition'' (Drug Store News, 9 October 1995)
*Griffin, Marie. ''Industry 'Legends' Deserve Recognition'' (Drug Store News, October 9, 1995)
*Ingham, John N. ''Biographical Dictionary of American Business Leaders'' (Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1983)
*Ingham, John N. ''Biographical Dictionary of American Business Leaders'' (Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1983)
*Van Doren, Charles, ed. ''Webster's American Biographies'' (Springfield, MA: G. & C. Merriam Co., 1979)
*Van Doren, Charles, ed. ''Webster's American Biographies'' (Springfield, MA: G. & C. Merriam Co., 1979)
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{{Walgreens}}
{{Walgreens}}
{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Walgreen, Charles Rudolph}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Walgreen, Charles Rudolph}}
[[Category:1873 births]]
[[Category:1873 births]]
[[Category:1939 deaths]]
[[Category:1939 deaths]]
[[Category:People from Knoxville, Illinois]]
[[Category:Military personnel from Illinois]]
[[Category:Businesspeople from Illinois]]
[[Category:American people of Swedish descent]]
[[Category:American people of Swedish descent]]
[[Category:American businesspeople in retailing]]
[[Category:American businesspeople in retailing]]
[[Category:American pharmacists]]
[[Category:American pharmacists]]
[[Category:American Methodists]]
[[Category:American company founders]]
[[Category:Walgreens people]]
[[Category:Methodists from Illinois]]

Latest revision as of 08:19, 15 September 2023

For his son, see Charles Rudolph Walgreen Jr.

Charles Rudolph Walgreen
Born(1873-10-09)October 9, 1873
Dixon, Illinois, U.S.
DiedDecember 11, 1939(1939-12-11) (aged 66)
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Alma materDixon Business College
OccupationBusinessman
Known forFounding Walgreens
SpouseMyrtle Norton Walgreen[1]
Children2, including Charles Jr.

Charles Rudolph Walgreen (October 9, 1873 – December 11, 1939) was an American businessman and the founder of Walgreens.

Background[edit]

He was born in Dixon, Illinois, before moving to Galesburg, Illinois, at a young age. He was the son of Swedish immigrants.

In the 1790s, Charles's great-great-great-grandfather, Sven Olofsson, adopted the surname Wahlgren (Swedish pronunciation: [ˈvɑ̂ːlɡreːn])[citation needed] during his military service, a family fact passed down over the generations. When Charles's father, Carl Magnus Olofsson, came to America from Sweden, he decided to change the family name to Walgreen.[2] When Charles was still quite young he and his family relocated to Dixon, Illinois, in 1887. He attended Dixon High School, Dixon Business College. He was a member of the international fraternity Tau Kappa Epsilon.[3]

As a young adult, he lost part of a finger in an accident at a shoe factory. The doctor who treated him persuaded him to become an apprentice for a local druggist. His interest in pharmacy dated from the time he was employed by D.S. Horton, a druggist in Dixon where he was apprenticed as a pharmacist. In 1893, Walgreen went to Chicago and became a registered pharmacist.[4] At the start of the Spanish–American War, Walgreen enlisted with the 1st Illinois Volunteer Cavalry. While serving in Cuba, he contracted malaria and yellow fever, which continued to plague him for the rest of his life.[5]

Career[edit]

After his discharge, Walgreen returned to Chicago and worked as a pharmacist for Isaac Blood. In 1901, he opened a second store in 1909 and by 1916 owned nine drug stores, which he incorporated as Walgreen Co. Walgreens was one of the first chains to carry non-pharmaceuticals as a mainstay of the store's retail selection. Walgreens offered low-priced lunch counters, built its own ice cream factory, and introduced the malted milk shake in 1922. By 1927, Walgreen had established 110 stores.

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. His daughter, Ruth Walgreen, married Justin Whitlock Dart, who left the Walgreens company after they divorced and went on to control the rival Rexall Drug Stores in 1943.[6] Ruth, in her adult years a published poet, eventually remarried and began spending winters in Tucson, Arizona, where in the early 1960s, she was instrumental in establishing the Poetry Center at the University of Arizona.

He is a member of the Labor Hall of Fame.

References[edit]

  1. ^ [1] Archived July 26, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ America's Corner Store: Walgreen's Prescription for Success Google Books
  3. ^ "BACKTRACKING". Thezephyr.com. Retrieved December 11, 2014.
  4. ^ "U.S. Department of Labor - Labor Hall of Fame - Charles R. Walgreen". Archived from the original on May 10, 2009. Retrieved June 17, 2009.
  5. ^ "LEE COUNTY ILLINOIS GENEALOGY AND HISTORY". Genealogytrails.com. Retrieved December 11, 2014.
  6. ^ [2] Archived April 24, 2005, at the Wayback Machine

Sources[edit]

  • Griffin, Marie. Industry 'Legends' Deserve Recognition (Drug Store News, October 9, 1995)
  • Ingham, John N. Biographical Dictionary of American Business Leaders (Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1983)
  • Van Doren, Charles, ed. Webster's American Biographies (Springfield, MA: G. & C. Merriam Co., 1979)

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Charles_Rudolph_Walgreen&oldid=1175473519"