Christian S. Freed’s Restaurant (1910)
Left to right: Emma Freed holding grandson Merwyn Shelly, Mary Alice Freed Shelly, Christian Freed
Pvt. Elmer Freed
by Rev James Shelly
The 100th Anniversary of World War I was commemorated on November 11 this year. Many Souderton men and women answered the call to serve in the war. Among those who answered the call was Elmer Freed, a son of Christian Souder Freed and his wife, Emma, who owned and operated a family restaurant on South Front Street in Souderton for many years [building current address 9 S Front St.] When WWI broke out their son Elmer answered the call to serve his country by joining the Army. Elmer was one of seven Freed children. (His youngest sister Mary Alice Freed Shelly married Alfred Gerhart Shelly, Sellersville and had a son, Merwyn, who was my dad, the infant in the photo above.)
After Elmer left for the Army, Elmer’s sister (my grandmother), wrote in a note, “November 2, 1918 my brother Elmer left Souderton to serve as private soldier for U.S. In. Co. G. 316th Infantry, Camp Meade, M.D. Left Camp Meade April 2 for Georgia, left Georgia (in) April for Camp Upton, New York. Left New York for France (in) April.” In letters to his family Elmer described life in the Army camps as he prepared to fight for his country in France. My grandmother learned of Elmer’s safe arrival in France via a post card sent by him with the message, “THE SHIP ON WHICH I SAILED HAS ARRIVED SAFELY OVERSEAS.”
While serving in the Infantry in France, Elmer sent letters back home as often as he could to assure his family of his safety. He could not reveal where he was located because of security concerns. The return address on the envelopes read, “Somewhere in France.” He was also concerned for the safety of his uncle, Sgt. Luther Shelly from Sellersville, who was also serving in France. They managed to meet each other in France close to the end of the fighting. Fortunately, both Elmer and Luther arrived home safely after facing much hardships in the battles.
Christian Freed’s Restaurant Decorated
Victory Parade Passing in front of Hotel Souderton
In celebration of the victory of WWI the soldiers from Souderton were welcomed home with a parade and the Freed family decorated their restaurant.
