Joseph Homer Howe was born January 15, 1865, in Bristol Center, Minnesota. His family later moved to Cresco, Iowa, where he attended high school. Mr. Howe taught school at Saratoga, Iowa, 1885-1886. He graduated from the University of Iowa Collegiate Department (later the College of Liberal Arts) on June 18, 1890, with a Civil Engineer (C.E.) degree. Mr. Howe delivered the commencement oration to his graduating class. As a student, he was a member of the Baconian literary club, and was a private in Company D in the University battalion during 1886.

Following graduation Mr. Howe worked for one year as a high school science teacher in Iowa City. In September 1890 he was hired to create strain sheets in the replacement of Roberts Ferry Bridge. In October 1891 he platted the What Cheer Co. coal mine, and the following month worked for the Kansas City, Watkins and Gulf Railway Co. in Louisiana. The railway company's chief engineer was Philetus Harvey Philbrick, a Civil Engineering professor at the State University of Iowa (1873-1887) and Mr. Howe's instructor.