William H. Winter Vault

The Evening Star, April 8, 1859
Decease of Esteemed Citizens

Mr. Wm. H. Winter, of the firm of Provost and Winter, marble contractors for the Capitol Extension, died at his residence in this city, at four o'clock yesterday afternoon in the 47th year of his age, after a severe illness of some months duration. The deceased was one of the most energetic and successful business men in the Federal Metropolis, and was a universal favorite among all classes.

The Evening Star, April 14, 1859
Obituary

In the death of William H. Winter a large circle of friends mourn the loss of an esteemed associate, and this community that of a useful and an enterprising citizen. The deceased was endowed with a vigorous and practical mind, animated and sustained by an indomitable will and untiring perseverance. Such was the confidence felt in his judgment and taste in the line of his business that his advice was eagerly sought by those of the highest attainments and culture engaged in similar pursuits. In this respect his name will ever be honorably associated with the two principal buildings which embellish the metropolis--the Patent Office and the Capitol. He was scrupulously honest and punctual in all his engagements, not only in the days of abundant prosperity, but equally in the early years of adverse fortune. Kind in his feelings, no causeless censorious words fell from his lips in reproach of his fellow-men; but his generous nature always prompted him to forgive rather than condemn. Generous in his charities and acts of kindness, they proceeded only from an innate sense of duty to his fellow-men, which he ever cherished and cultivated as one of the highest virtues of humanity. In the gratification of his private friendships there was no labor too arduous, no sacrifice too great, which he was not ready to encounter. Around his children the warmest affections of his heart clustered and the deep love with which they reciprocated the father's devotion was painfully attested by the agonized grief with which they took their last farewell of his mortal remains. Let not this be considered the tribute of too partial friendship; the vast concourse of citizens of every class to attendance upon his funeral, manifesting the most decorous and heartfelt grief, bears testimony to the esteem felt for him as a citizen and their love for him as a friend.--National Intelligencer.

The Evening Star, April 11, 1859
Funeral of William H. Winter

Yesterday, the funeral of the late W.H. Winter took place from his family residence near Blagden's wharf, and the procession was one of the largest ever seen in Washington at the burial of any private citizen, showing how extensive was Mr. Winter's acquaintance with the citizens of Washington, and how great was their respect for him. The funeral service of the Baptist church was performed by Rev. G.W. Sampson, who, in a brief but impressive address, related the circumstances attending his last interviews with the deceased.

The pall-bearers were--Messrs. Thos. U. Walters, J.C. Harkness, Thomas Berry, Wm. M. Ellis, P.J. Brooks, Randolph Coyle, Walter Lenox, Esq., and Major H. Tyler. The coffin was a magnificent one, covered with black silk velvet, handsomely trimmed with silver lace and beautifully decorated with flowers. It was placed in a hearse drawn by four white horses, and the immense procession began to form. When the head of the procession had turned into Pennsylvania avenue, the line was not complete but was still forming at the house.

A very large number of the Sons of Malta, of which order the deceased was a member, was present, wearing their badge, a small Maltese cross, on the left breast. The Stone Cutters' Associations were out in a body and marched to the cemetery; and besides these there were hundreds of others, pedestrians in the line. The corpse was conveyed to the Congressional Cemetery, and deposited in the vault to await the future orders of the family.