William King Via and Mary Rose Wood Via
William King Via and his wife, Mary Rose Wood Via, contributed greatly to the Critz community during their lifetimes. Through business, banking, education, and their willingness to support the people around them, the Vias became an important part of the community they called home. More than a century later, old issues of The Enterprise provide glimpses into their lives and reveal just how deeply they were woven into the history of Critz.
William King Via was born in 1868 to James Robert Via (1840–1915) and Martha Catherine Koger Via (1845–1918).
His paternal grandparents were Fleming Via (1808–1893) and Mary Corn (1812–1896), of the Elamsville community of Patrick County, Virginia. His maternal grandparents were Joseph Koger and Ruth Slaughter, of the Carter’s Store community of Henry County, Virginia.
William King Via was the oldest of at least six children:
William King Via (1868–1921)
John Peter Via (1871–1949)
Jesse Ben Via (1873–1934)
Henry W. Via (1876–1899)
Mary R. Via (1878–1965)
Nannie Sue Via (1880–1968)
The woman who would share William’s life and become equally well known in the Critz community was Mary Rose Wood Via.
Mary Rose Wood was the daughter of James Mattison Wood (1831–1911) and Druscilla Ruth Spencer (1832–1917). James and Druscilla had at least seven children:
John L. Wood (1859– )
James J. Wood (1864– )
Charles M. Wood (1866– )
Robert Martin Wood (1868–1920)
Mary R. Wood Via (1870–1924)
Martha E. Wood (1872– )
George A. Wood (1876– )
William King Via and Mary Rose Wood Via made their home in the Critz community, where they raised their two sons:
James Lee Via Sr. (1896–1985)
Marshall Ney Via (1904–1982)
The surviving newspaper accounts from the early twentieth century provide a wonderful window into the lives of the Via family. They show William not only as a successful merchant and businessman, but also as a neighbor, friend, banker, and supporter of education. They also reveal Mary as a woman remembered for her generosity, friendship, faith, and devotion to her community.
October 3, 1912 — The Enterprise
By 1912, William King Via was already described in the newspaper as a popular Critz merchant. An October 3 issue shared a lighter glimpse of his life away from business:
Our popular merchant Mr. W. King Via and Mr. Erastus Martin of Roanoke are anticipating a trip to the Shenandoah Valley in the near future fishing, camping etc. Owing to business affairs and sickness, they were detained from going in August as they had planned to do.
Just a few months later, the Via home itself appeared in the local news, offering a glimpse of the couple’s place in the social life of their community.
January 30, 1913 — The Enterprise
Mr. and Mrs. King Via entertained a crowd of their young friends last Sunday. Among those were Misses Maggie, Pattie and Emma Prillaman, Cora, Delia, Rosa and Clemmie Bryant, Della and Flora Shelton, Laura Ingram, Juda Sneed, Nellie and Mary Wright. Messrs Thomas, Abe and Elisha Bryant, and Frank Wright.
These brief community notices may seem simple today, but they preserve something valuable. They give us the names of the people who gathered together, visited one another, and formed the social fabric of Critz more than a century ago.
William King Via’s influence, however, extended far beyond the social life of the community. His store at Critz served local families with an assortment of merchandise that reflected nearly every aspect of everyday life.
January 29, 1920 — W. King Via, Critz, Va. Advertisement
The headline read:
1920 Greetings — Jan. Clearance Sale!
Short Lengths of Denims, Suitings and Madras
Ladies’ Misses’ and Children’s Sweaters
Underwear
Men’s Fur Hats
Farm Machinery Coffins & Caskets
White & Ecru Counterpanes
Curtain Rods
First Come, First Served
W. KING VIA, Critz, Va.
The remarkable variety advertised by Via’s store—from clothing and household goods to farm machinery, coffins, and caskets—illustrates the important role that the country merchant once played in a rural community.
While William was operating his mercantile business, he was also helping shape the financial life of Critz.
January 15, 1920 — Bank of Critz Financial Statement
A financial statement published for the Bank of Critz read:
I, J. K. Fulton, cashier, do solemnly swear that the above is a true statement of the financial condition of the Bank of Critz, Inc., located at Critz, in the County of Patrick, state of Va., at the close of business on the 31st day of December 1919 to the best of my knowledge and belief.
CORRECT—ATTEST:
J. K. FULTON, CASHIER
W. KING VIA C. E. MARION B. H. COOPER DIRECTORS
STATE OF VA., COUNTY OF PATRICK
Sworn to and subscribed before me by J. K. Fulton, Cashier, January 10, 1920.
J. H. BROWN, N. P.
My com. expires Sept. 26, 1923.
The Via store apparently provided more than merchandise and employment. According to a delightful announcement published later that year, it had also become a successful meeting place for Cupid.
September 23, 1920 — Announcement from W. King Via’s Store
Announcement!
The store of W. King Via, at Critz, Va., is not only the home of the best merchandise, but also seems during the recent past to have been the permanent residence of Cupid. The following marriages have taken place among the employees of the store during the last ten months:
JAMES L. VIA and RUTH K. COOPERNovember 23, 1919
EDWARD T. HODGE and MARY JESSUPNovember 27, 1919
GEO. A. MARTIN and LIZZIE HANBYJuly 24, 1920
IRVIN I. HUTCHENS and HATTIE BRAMMERSeptember 11, 1920
Among those listed was William and Mary’s own son, James L. Via, whose marriage to Ruth K. Cooper had taken place on November 23, 1919.
As 1920 drew to a close, another newspaper announcement demonstrated William King Via’s important role in the development of the Critz community. He was serving as president of the Bank of Critz.
December 9, 1920 — Bank of Critz
BANK OF CRITZ,(INCORPORATED)
This bank is now open and doing a general banking business. We solicit the patronage of the public and promise every courtesy and accommodation consistent with sound business policy, and will gladly extend to you every consideration and facility you will receive at any other bank.
We solicit time deposits and will pay 4 per cent interest on same.
J. K. FULTON, Cashier
OFFICERSW. KING VIA, PresidentB. F. MARTIN, Vice President
DIRECTORSJ. H. TUDORB. H. COOPERB. J. CORNO. R. MARTINB. F. MARTINJ. W. OKEW. KING VIAR. R. PRICEW. L. JOYCE
Sadly, William King Via would have only a short time remaining to continue the work in which he had invested so much of his life.
May 26, 1921 — Local News
The Enterprise reported:
Local News
Mr. W. King Via, of Critz, one of the leading merchants of this County, and a very prominent and substantial citizen of Critz, died in Lucy Lester Hospital at Martinsville Saturday following a long illness. He is survived by his wife and two sons.
William King Via was only about 52 years old when he died. The description of him as “one of the leading merchants” of Patrick County and “a very prominent and substantial citizen of Critz” speaks to the position he had earned within his community.
Mary Rose Wood Via survived her husband by less than three years. Her death on April 15, 1924, brought another great loss to Critz. The memorial written for her by Georgia Martin is particularly moving, not only because it records the circumstances of Mary’s final illness, but because it describes the character of a woman whose influence reached well beyond her own family.
April 24, 1924 — IN MEMORIAM — VIA
On Tuesday morning April 15th God in His infinite wisdom took to himself by death Mrs. W. King Via from the town of Critz and Patrick County. God removed one of the best and most loyal supporters of all things good and pure. She was a thrifty citizen, a friendly neighbor, nearly surpassed by any.
Mrs. Via had been an invalid for about a year but by the help of her faithful Physician Dr. Shelton she was again permitted to stand on her feet once more but about nine days ago she was taken with “Flu,” which went into pneumonia and on Tuesday she was taken home. She bore her suffering patiently, keeping her faith through the “Valley of the Shadow of Death,” but fearing “no evil.” The Community is in the darkest of night by her departure, but heaven we trust has been made brighter, for as the sun peeps in below the western hills only to shine behind, just so this soul is replaced to shine in heaven, leaving gloom and sadness on earth.
But the bereaved are left to shine as the stars by night. The young people of her community and elsewhere who desire success in life, might well take her life as a means to that end. She had looked forward with respectful interest to “rainy day,” and when it came, she was ready, and as for her immediate family they are not left wanting except for her.
She gave freely to worthy public matters, being always ready and willing to help carry on the things of public interest, especially the things pertaining to schoolwork. None knew her but to love her; one of her favorite hymns “Think of the Home Over there,” was sung at her funeral and each and every one present could not but believe and rejoice that she was in the hands of a just God, and that she was going home to be with her loved ones, who had preceded her beyond this “Vale of Tears.”
She leaves two children, besides two grandchildren and a host of relatives and friends to mourn their loss her husband having preceded her to the better land about two and a half years ago.
The burial services were conducted at the home by Rev. John Wimbish and Rev. S. A. Thompson. In the presence of many relatives and friends she was gently and tenderly laid to rest near Critz.
The floral offerings were many and beautiful. These spoke eloquently of their love.
Saviour, guide our feeble footstepsThrough the path which we must come,That we may meet, know and love herWhen our trials here are done.
Written by Georgia Martin
The words written following Mary’s death reveal something that cannot be found in census records or vital statistics. She was remembered as a “friendly neighbor,” a supporter of worthy causes, and a woman especially interested in the education of the community’s children.
That commitment to education was shared by her husband.
Nearly five years after William King Via’s death, The Enterprise looked back upon the effort to provide Critz children with a better school and once again recorded his name among those who had led the way.
February 4, 1926 — The Enterprise
Still relying upon the little log school built in 1890 for the education of their children, the citizens of Critz determined to seek some means of improving conditions, that their children, thru better education might prepare for a better portion of life and become better citizens of the great Old State.
The proposition met with hearty response and under the leadership of a group of patriotic citizens, funds were provided for a better school building. Among the leaders in this movement were W. King Via, H. H. Reynolds, B. H. Cooper, B. F. Martin, Jess Via, and C. E. Marion. Thru, private subscription and state-aid, funds were provided for the construction of the first brick schoolhouse. The success of the plan, it is stated, was largely due to the generous aid of the late Richard J. Reynolds, of Winston Salem. A four-room brick building was constructed at 68 x 29 feet.
That 1926 account provides a fitting final glimpse of William King Via. Even several years after his death, his contribution to Critz was still being remembered.
Taken together, these old newspaper accounts tell the story of a husband and wife whose lives were closely connected to the growth and well-being of their community. William King Via was a merchant, businessman, bank president, and advocate for better educational opportunities. Mary Rose Wood Via was remembered for her generosity, friendship, faith, support of public causes, and particular interest in schoolwork.
Their story also reminds us that the history of a community is not made only by famous events or celebrated figures. It is built by people who open businesses, establish banks, improve schools, welcome neighbors into their homes, help worthy causes, raise their families, and work to leave their community a little better than they found it.
William King Via and Mary Rose Wood Via did just that. More than one hundred years after their deaths, their names remain a part of the story of Critz and Patrick County. Their contributions to the community they loved are certainly worthy of remembrance among our Patrick Pioneers.
For questions, comments, or story ideas, Woody may be reached at [email protected] or 276-692-9626.
