John Marshman Howell (1849–1925) was a horticulturist and alderman in Dallas, Texas.
J. M. Howell | |
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| Born | John Marshman Howell August 2, 1849 Jefferson County, Tennessee |
| Died | November 8, 1925 (aged 76) Dallas, Texas |
| Burial place | Greenwood Cemetery |
| Occupation(s) | Horticulturist, politician |
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Biography
editJ. M. Howell was born in Jefferson County, Tennessee on August 2, 1849.[1][2] In 1872, he settled on a tract of land along McKinney Avenue where he planted orchards and opened a greenhouse. He was one of Dallas' most civic-minded and progressive citizens, serving on the Dallas School Board for 10 years. He served several terms as the President of the Texas State Horticultural Society and was active in the planning of the Texas State Fair.[1] He served as secretary and treasurer of the Texas State Nurserymen's Association, and treasurer of the Central Texas Horticultural Society.[3]
Following his return from the Philadelphia Exposition in 1876, Howell made plans for his property that would reflect the beauty he saw in Philadelphia. He is credited with planting the first magnolia tree in Dallas. A few of his trees can still be found at Howell Park.
He died at his son's home in Dallas on November 8, 1925.[1]
Legacy
edit
Howell Park is the neighborhood immediately Northwest of the intersection of Hall and Howell Streets.[4] Today the neighborhood custodian is the Howell Park Homeowners Association, a non-profit organization.[citation needed]
Several streets in Dallas were named with his influence: Routh (after his wife's family), Howell, Fairmount (after Fairmount Park, the site of the Philadelphia Exposition), Maple and Thomas Street (after his uncle).[5] John was laid to rest in Greenwood Cemetery, adjacent to Howell Park.[1]
Works
edit- Catalogue of Texas raised fruit, shade and ornamental trees, grapes, vines, roses, flowering shrubs, etc. 1888 – via archive.org.
- Catalogue of Texas raised fruit, shade and ornamental trees, grapes, vines, roses, flowering shrubs, etc. 1889 – via archive.org.
- Dallas Nurseries[6]
References
edit- ^ a b c d "J. M. Howell, Editor, Dies". The Dallas Morning News. November 9, 1925.
- ^ Memorial and Biographical History of Dallas County, Texas. Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company. 1892. pp. 797–798. Retrieved February 14, 2023 – via Google Books.
- ^ "Appendix". Transactions of the American Horticultural Society. IV: 218, 221. 1886. Retrieved February 14, 2023 – via Internet Archive.
- ^ Subdivisions
- ^ Dallas Yesterday, December 14, 1970
- ^ Henry G. Gilbert Nursery and Seed Trade Catalog Collection. - J.M. Howell (Firm),
Further reading
edit- "J. M. Howell's Dallas Nurseries — 1880s - Flashback : Dallas". Flashback : Dallas.
