J. M. Howell

John Marshman Howell (1849–1925) was a horticulturist and alderman in Dallas, Texas.

Biography J. M. Howell was born in Jefferson County, Tennessee on August 2, 1849. 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.

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. Today the neighborhood custodian is the Howell Park Homeowners Association, a non-profit organization.

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). John was laid to rest in Greenwood Cemetery, adjacent to Howell Park.