Mr. Anson was educated in the public schools of Lockport, Niagara County, N. Y., and at the age of fourteen was employed as a telegraph operator in the oil regions of Butler County, Pa., later being employed by the Western Union Telegraph Company in Buffalo, Chicago, Cincinnati, St. Louis, and New York. When the St. Louis convention met to nominate Samuel J. Tilden for President he was one of the five operators of Chicago chosen to attend to the telegraphic business of the meeting, and again at the Cincinnati convention, when Rutherford B. Hayes was nominated, he was chosen to act in the same capacity. In 1877 Mr. Anson moved to New York as chief operator in the main office, where he remained twelve years. In April, 1892, he left the service to engage in real estate business, in which he has ever since continued.

He was one of the organizers of the Building, Loan and Savings Association of Hasbrouck Heights, which he served six years as Secretary. He was the organizer and Secretary of the Hasbrouck Heights Land and Improvement Company and the organizer and Secretary of the Lemmermann Site Company. Since beginning business Mr. Anson has built over one hundred houses and brought out from the city more than one thousand residents. While devoting his time and energy to the upbuilding of his borough, although not seeking office or self-interest, lie was appointed Postmaster in November, 1893, holding the office for four years. In 1896 he was elected a Justice of the Peace. He is a member of a number of organizations at Hasbrouck Heights, including the Pioneer Club, the Hasbrouck Heights Field Club, and the Royal Arcanum. He is also a member of the Old Time Telegraphic Association, the Telegraphers' Mutual Benefit Association, and the Telegraphers' Aid Society.