He attended the common schools and the University of Utah at Salt Lake City.

After Utah gained statehood, Howell served as member of the State senate from 1896 to 1900.

[2][failed verification] Howell engaged in banking and the real estate business.

The town of Howell, Utah, founded about 1910 on land owned by one of his business interests in Box Elder County, was named for him.

This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress