[2] Howell's first attempts at politics were Democratic nominations for treasurer of Mahoning County in 1866, and state senator in the ninth district in 1868.

[2] As reward for his party activity, Howells was appointed Postmaster of Massillon in 1886, but resigned after two years.

In 1889, he was elected to the Ohio State Senate for the twenty first district, Stark and Carroll counties, for the 1890–91 term.

[1] In 1893, Howells was appointed United States consul to Cardiff, Wales by President Cleveland, where he represented the government for four years.

In 1901, Howells sold his mining company, and in 1902, began construction of the Hotel Courtland in Canton, Ohio, which was completed in 1905.

[4] He died at Cleveland Heights, Ohio, November 17, 1915, and was interred at the city cemetery in Massillon.