[1] He was educated in Montpelier, and in 1834 began a business career as a merchant in partnership with Elisha P. Jewett.
[3] Howes was the successful Whig nominee for State Treasurer in 1847, succeeding Jewett.
[4][5] In 1858 Howes moved to Saint Paul, Minnesota, where he launched a successful career in real estate.
[6] He returned to Montpelier in 1868, where he lived in semi-retirement while managing his financial and real estate investments.
In addition, he served for several years as Vermont's federal agent for paying pensions to eligible Union veterans of the American Civil War.