https://books.google.com/books?id=Q-esrxS7uIoC&lpg=PA2&ots=xQ7Hnpw0Yf&dq=%22william%20jasper%20spillman%22&pg=PA2#v=onepage&q=%22william%20jasper%20spillman%22&f=false William J. Spillman and the birth of agricultural economics by Laurie M. Carlson] His childhood was spent on their 200 acres southwest Missouri farm among a large family burdened by the accidental death of his father on July 21, 1871.