When John William Astry was born on 21 October 1890, in Salem Township, Columbiana, Ohio, United States, his father, David W Astry, was 28 and his mother, Eva D Spencer, was 20. He had at least 2 daughters with Letha Cole. He lived in Salem, Columbiana, Ohio, United States for about 10 years and Salem, Perry Township, Columbiana, Ohio, United States for about 5 years. He died on 9 October 1955, in Ontario, Canada, at the age of 64, and was buried in Salem, Columbiana, Ohio, United States.