Civic leader Alvin Bartholomew, whose latest dream was to see Elk Grove become a city, died just three days before the election. Mr. Bartholomew, 90, passed away March 4 following a long illness. The fourth-generation and lifelong resident of Elk Grove was known throughout his life for his deep interest and hard work for the betterment of his community.
He was a charter member of many Elk Grove service organizations, including the Elk Grove Sewer District, Elk Grove Businessmen’s Association (replaced by the Elk Grove Chamber of Commerce), the Elk Grove Historical Society, the Elk Grove Masonic Lodge No. 173 and the Rotary Club of Elk Grove, and was active in many others.
At an age when most people would be taking life easy, Mr. Bartholomew once again took up the fight for city hood, celebrating his 90th birthday at the building owned by the family on Elk Grove Boulevard, the use of which was donated to the incorporation committee for the campaign. Mr. Bartholomew was born June 29, 1909 to Charles and Nancy Bartholomew in the family home, which stood where South East Lawn Memorial Park now is.
He attended local schools, graduating from Elk Grove High School in 1928 and then receiving a business degree from Sacramento Junior College. On March 19, 1933 he and Amy Sweet were married. They operated a land leveling and contract harvesting business, originally founded by Mr. Bartholomew’s grandfather, Cameron Bartholomew, in the late 19th century.
In 1956 Mr. Bartholomew and the late Harry Markofer built the Elk Grove shopping center on the Elk Grove-Florin Road, and the subdivision behind it. Two of the streets, Barth and Mark, are named for the founders. In the 1960s the Bartholomews helped found a local, independent bank — First Security Bank of Elk Grove, now River City Bank. In addition, they helped found the area’s first skilled nursing facility, the Elk Grove Convalescent Hospital, now SunRise Care and Rehabilitation.
Like his father before him, Mr. Bartholomew served on the board of trustees of Elk Grove Union Grammar School. He also served as president of the chamber in 1962, and was a lifetime member of the Elk Grove United Methodist Church. Mr. Bartholomew was the second person to be named Elk Grove Citizen of the Year in 1955, and in 1997 he and Amy were honored by the Elk Grove Community Services District when the Alvin and Amy Bartholomew neighborhood park was dedicated.
The park is located on the old Hollister ranch formerly owned by them. Other awards included being named a Paul Harris recipient by the Rotary Club, and serving as Grand Marshal of the 1996 Western Festival parade. Besides his wife of 66 years, Mr. Bartholomew is survived by his children, Nancy Douglass and husband Gordon of Orinda, Wayne Bartholomew and wife Jacque of Davis, and Hal Bartholomew and wife Beverly Brautigam of Elk Grove; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Services will be on Saturday. Times and places will be in Friday’s Citizen. [Elk Grove Citizen 3/8/2000. Submitted by Kathie Kloss Marynik. ]