[1] In 1862, while still a student in the Polytechnic Institute, Taylor organized the Brooklyn Gray Cadets to fight in the American Civil War.
After escaping a Confederate privateer off the coast of South America, the clipper was wrecked by rocks while trying to cross the Straits of Magellan.
After explaining what happened to Messers Dibble and Hyde, to whom the Snow Squall was consigned, they gave him a package with $100.
When the ship landed in Cork, Taylor discovered the American Consul received letters from his parents asking to arrange for him to be sent home.
He declined an offer from the captain of the Rival to stay as second officer and agreed to return home, under the condition Patridge come with him.
He resigned from the bank in 1869 for health reasons, and moved to Vicksburg, Mississippi, where he partook in the cotton seed oil business and partially owned the largest oil mill and steam cotton gunnery in the state, along with a line of freight streamers.
[3] In 1878, Taylor was appointed chief clerk under Brooklyn District Attorney Isaac S. Catlin.
[4] In 1892, Taylor was elected to the New York State Assembly as a Republican, representing the Kings County 5th District.