Howis Junior was the son of landscape painter William Howis (1804-1882). Born in Dublin he studied at the Royal Dublin Society Schools and later in his father's studio on Mary Street and Jervis Street. In 1844 he obtained a premium of £5 from the Royal Irish Art Union for two etched landscapes. He exhibited at the RHA from 1847 to 1856 and died the following year, predeceasing his father