Beginning life as a civil engineer, he obtained employment in building the original Croton Aqueduct, through which New York long drew its supply of pure drinking water from country streams and ponds.

Before its completion, he was called to accompany Prof. James Renwick in the survey of the northeastern boundary of Maine, at the time of the dispute with Great Britain.

He had for some time amused himself with experiments in the new art of making pictures with the aid of sunlight, just introduced by Louis Daguerre.

After finishing the survey, Anthony engaged in photography, and after a short but successful practice embarked in the business of supplying materials to the trade.

In 1877, the firm was reorganized as a corporation, with Anthony as president, his brother as vice-president, and Colonel V. M. Wilcox as manager and secretary.