taylor was considered a generous man and contributed to the success of young businessmen in st. louis. he assisted in the well-being of wives of steamboat men, pilots, and entertainers. taylor assisted a group of nuns in 1844 after their convent was flooded. he led an expedition to recover bodies from the burning of the steamer, ‘’stonewall’’. on february 4, 1858, taylor’s wife died in the burning of the steamer, ‘’g. h. crosman’’, outside of new madrid, missouri. one child survived, while the other died. his wife, despite wearing a life preserver, was found dead about fifty miles below the point where the steamer burned. taylor toured europe around 1859. taylor was injured at the gasconade disaster; he traveled to california to regain his health. taylor successfully campaigned to establish the st. louis fire department. he was a member of the polar star lodge of masons, no. 79, and the st. louis royal arch chapters, no. 8. taylor spoke an admirable address as mayor in 1861 in regards to the savior of the municipal government from domination of military influence.