He was known for being one of the first black colonels during the Spanish–American War, serving as deputy commander of the 3rd North Carolina Volunteer Infantry Regiment.

During the American Civil War, the Confederate contract forced Taylor to continue working on shoes, primarily making them out of either cloth or wood due to the leather shortage.

[2][3] After the war, Taylor studied at several Quaker schools and opened up a barber shop at East Trade Street, Charlotte.

He eventually served in numerous state and national fire service organizations, becoming the Financial Secretary of the North Carolina Colored Volunteer Firemen’s Association on May 12, 1891, and would hold that office for 18 years before assuming presidency in the late 1920s and continued to involve himself in the organization until his death.

[2][5] On June 28, Taylor was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel and made the second-in-command of the regiment.