Born in Anderson, South Carolina, he was the oldest among four sons of a Methodist minister—including Candy Jim, Ben and Johnny—who made a remarkable impact on black baseball.

After serving in the 10th Cavalry during the Spanish–American War[3] in the Philippines, Taylor attended Clark College in Atlanta, Georgia.

In 1914 he became half-owner, along with Thomas Bowser, and manager of the Indianapolis ABCs,[4] and over the next several seasons developed the team into a power rivaled only by Rube Foster's Chicago American Giants.

When World War I drew off many players from his roster, he personally toured Washington, D.C., with them, pointing out the various government institutions and instilling in them a sense of their duty to their nation.

He was also a co-founder and vice president of the Negro National League before his death at age 47 in Indianapolis, Indiana of pneumonia.