He was born in St. Stephen, New Brunswick into a chocolate making family and would serve as president of Ganong Bros. Limited from 1917 to 1957.

Among his siblings are educator Susie, businessman Edwin, botanist William, and Kit Ganong Whidden.

On 8 June 1904, Arthur Ganong married Berla Frances Whidden (1878–1958) of Grand Manan, New Brunswick.

Ganong worked all his life in the family business and took over as its head from his Uncle Gilbert who died without issue.

In 1930 he donated a trophy to the winner of the provincial curling championship that bore his name for the next fifty years.