Born at Caldonia Springs, Canada West, Taylor moved with his parents to Yates County, New York, in 1856.

He taught school for several years, and then moved to Indianapolis, Indiana in 1869 to study law.

He served as prosecuting attorney for the eleventh judicial circuit of Indiana 1880–1884.

He resumed the practice of law in Petersburg, Indiana, until his death February 20, 1922.

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