Dr. Howell Tyson Lykes was born in Columbia, South Carolina in 1846. He moved to Spring Hill, in the Brooksville area, with his family at a young age. He served with the Confederate Army during the Civil War; he was captured and held prisoner at Bayport in 1865.

After the war, he earned a medical degree at Charleston Medical College. He briefly practiced medicine in Brooksville during the 1870s, but it never seemed like his calling. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to explore other avenues.  

In 1874, Dr. Howell T. Lykes married Aimeria Bell McKay of the wealthy McKay family of Tampa. Her father, Captain James Angus McKay, was one of Tampa’s earliest residents, mayors, and real estate investors. These connections and financing helped propel the Lykes operations to new heights.

Cattle Ranching

Dr. Lykes’s most notable achievements lie in cattle ranching. He significantly expanded his cattle holdings, encompassing a vast area in west-central Florida. Recognizing the potential of the Cuban market, he began exporting cattle there in 1880. This venture proved highly successful, and Dr. Lykes played a leading role in Florida’s cattle industry during its most prosperous era.

In 1886, he constructed the Almeria Hotel in Tampa, likely to accommodate business associates and visitors. He also built the Dr. Lykes, a schooner specifically designed to transport cattle to Cuba. He partnered with Captain W. H. Towles to establish a cattle exporting business that eventually extended to include cattle from Texas and Central and South America.  

Shipping

Dr. Lykes’s vision extended beyond cattle ranching. He was among the first to ship cattle directly from Florida to Cuba, recognizing the potential of the shipping industry. His business acumen led him to establish the Lykes Bros. Steamship Co. in 1922.

He expanded his operations through strategic acquisitions of smaller steamship companies, eventually creating a global shipping network. At its peak, Lykes Bros. Steamship Co. boasted a fleet of 54 ships, solidifying its position as the largest American-flag shipping line.  

Banking and Philanthropy

While browsing extensions could not find details about Dr. Lykes’s specific contributions to banking, historical records suggest he was involved in the financial sector. However, the extent of his involvement remains unclear and requires further research.

Dr. Lykes was very generous and believed in giving back to the community. He actively participated in philanthropic endeavors, although details about his specific contributions are scarce. The Lykes Bros. Foundation, likely established by his family, continues to support various community initiatives today, reflecting Dr. Lykes’s commitment to social responsibility.  

Legacy

Dr. Howell Tyson Lykes passed away in 1906, leaving the business he ran to his seven sons. They founded the Lykes Brothers Company in 1910, a family-owned agribusiness based in Florida for over a century. It began as a cattle ranch and has since expanded into various sectors, including citrus, phosphate mining, timber, sugarcane, shipping, banking, and insurance.

The company manages over 575,000 acres of land in Florida and Texas, focusing on cattle, farming, forestry, hunting, and land and water resources. As of 2024, the Lykes family is the 14th largest landowner in the United States and have a multi-billion dollar net worth. Lykes Brothers has played a significant role in the Florida economy and contributed to the development of many communities in the state.

References

• Howel Tyson Lykes: Founder of an Empire (USF Collection, 1978)
• About Lykes Brothers
• Dr. Howell Tyson Lykes, The Rise of a Cattle King and Family Empire (Hernando Sun, 2024)
• The Land Report (2024)