Bessie J. Eastman, GW #49 

Bessie was born on 10 February 1883 in Salisbury Township, Lehigh County, Pa. to Joseph H. and Mary (Bauder) Eastman.  Since Salisbury Township is next to Allentown, it is most probable that Bessie learned of the Gospel Workers through one of the Allentown churches.  From the Gospel Worker Society Herald it is learned that from at least 1905-1907 Bessie served in Altoona, Pa. By 1910 she left the Gospel Worker Society and is living in Riverside, California, working as a clerk in a hotel.  In the 1920 census it is reported that she is still in Riverside, working as a maid in a hotel.  By 1926 she married William B. Medsger whose wife died in 1924.  From Riverside city directories and the 1930 federal census it is discovered that William and Bessie lived in Riverside; William was a building contractor.  No children were discovered to have been born to this couple.  After 1930 the Medsgers lived in various places, probably seeking work during the depression.  In 1931 and 32 they were in Scranton, Pa., 1932-34 they were registered to vote in Riverside, Ca. (maybe they weren’t there?), and in 1937 they were in Newark, Nj.  By 1940 they were back in Riverside where they apparently lived the rest of their lives.  William died in 1948 and is buried in Evergreen Memorial Park in Riverside, Ca. Bessie died on 22 May 1960 and is buried with her husband.  (note:  Bessie’s middle initial is “E” on the tombstone, probably referencing her maiden name, but everywhere else it is “J”)