He was born in
Stanningley, Leeds. His brother
George Frederick Naylor was also an organist. He married Mary Ann Chatwin on 26 December 1865. The children from the marriage were: •
Edward Woodall Naylor (1867–1934) was also an organist and composer. • Emily Naylor b. 1868 •
Charles Legh Naylor (1869–1945). Organist of
St. Peter's Church, Harrogate. • Clara Naylor b. 1870 •
Henry Darnley Naylor (1872–1945) was a classical scholar, who worked at the University of Melbourne, and the University of Adelaide He died whilst on a voyage to Australia and was buried at sea, between Tenerife and the Cape, on 15 May 1897. A memorial was erected in York Minster on 29 June 1903, designed by
George Frederick Bodley. The inscription reads:
Ad Majorem Gloriam Dei et in piam Memoriam Johann Naylor Mus. Doc, Orgaistae et Choragi Hujus Ecclesiae Cathedralis 1883-1897 Hanc effigiem David Dulcis Psalmistae Israelis P C Consanguinei et Amici Nonulli MDCCCCIII ==Career==