Pharmacist and businessman Charles Walgreen, best known for founding Walgreen’s pharmacy, enlisted with the 1st Illinois Volunteer Calvary at the start of the Spanish-American War. While serving in Cuba, he contracted malaria and yellow fever, which he would battle for the rest of his life.

After being discharged, Walgreen returned to Chicago and worked as a pharmacist for Issac Blood. When Blood retired, Walgreen bought the store from him. He soon acquired other stores, and built his famous chain of pharmacies — Walgreen's.

Walgreen revolutionized the drug store industry, introducing several new innovations: lunch counters, soda fountains and malted milk. By 1927, Walgreen had become an undeniable success, having established 110 stores.

Walgreen was also inducted into the Labor Hall of Fame.

His son, Charles Rudolph Walgreen, Jr., and grandson, Charles R. Walgreen III, both shared his name and played prominent roles in the company he founded.

Learn more:
The life of Charles Walgreen