May 7, 1912 (unknown local news issue)
JOHN VAN DYKE DEAD
Blind John, who had been a familiar figure about Groton for many years, responded to the final summons on Saturday morning last. He had been ailing somewhat for a week or more but little was thought of it as he was subject to occasional attacks of illness. This time his ailment was followed by a stroke of paralysis, which hastened the end.
Though blind from his childhood, John was a vigorous specimen of manhood and during this younger years made his way independently doing such lines of labor as are possible to a man who cannot see. He reared a family, and is survived by one son and a daughter-the latter being Mrs. Al Graham, who formerly lived here. Mr. VanDyke would have been seventy-three years of age, had he lived out the present summer. Funeral services were held on Monday afternoon at Methodist Church.
~Transcribed by volunteer researcher, Kathy Smith