Joseph Howell, county collector, was born in Hardin County, Tenn., November 1, 1837, and is the son of Levi and Lexey (Riddell) Howell, natives of Alabama and North Carolina, respectively, and both of English-Scotch descent. The paternal grandfather was born in England, and emigrated to Alabama at an early day, where he died.  The maternal grandfather came from Scotland to North Carolina.  Levi Howell emigrated from Alabama to Hardin County, Tenn., where he lived until 1844, when he emigrated to Stoddard County, and located near Dexter, where he purchased a farm in the woods, on which he lived until his death, which occurred in 1845. The mother died in 1862.  They were the parents of seven children--four sons and three daughters--four of whom are now living-. Joseph, Elizabeth (wife of James Gillis), Alexander and Martha (wife of W. W. Thrower).  Joseph Howell was about eight vears of age when he came to this county with his parents. He was reared to farm life, receiving what education the schools afforded at that day, and in 1859 married Miss Nancy Lee, who was born in Missouri. The fruits of this union were two children: Mary A. (wife of A. Conley) and John B. After marriage Mr. Howell located four miles from Dexter, where he followed agricultural pursuits until 1887. In the spring of 1861 he enlisted in Company A, Kitchen's regiment, and served in that capacity about eighteen months.  He was captured near Chalk Bluff, Ark.  He was paroled, came home, and was in the Fort Pillow skirmish and was there when the place was vacated.  He was also in Price's raid through Missouri. In the fall of 1886 he was elected to the office of county collector, which position he now occupies. During the years 1881 and 1882 he served as county assessor.