Born in Lexington, Tennessee, Taylor was the son of Jesse and Mary May Taylor. He attended the Male Academy in Lexington and the Union University, Murfreesboro, Tennessee. He graduated with a law degree from Cumberland University, Lebanon, Tennessee, in 1861. He was admitted to the bar the same year and commenced practice in Lexington. He married Amanda McHaney, October 10, 1864, with whom he had eight children.
