Howland was born in Rutland, New York on 27 February 1832, and later moved to Iowa.
He married Sarah L. Wyatt in Hamilton County, Iowa, on 8 December 1870.
They settled in Morgan Township, Franklin County, Iowa, where Howland was a farmer.
He was affiliated with the Republican Party and served on the township board of supervisors.
Between 1872 and 1876, he was a member of the Iowa Senate, representing District 46, which included Franklin County.