Born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Wanty received a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Michigan Law School in 1878 and went into private practice.

[1] In 1883, he partnered with Niram A. Fletcher to form the law firm of Fletcher & Wanty, which is known today as Wheeler Upham, P.C.

[1] On March 7, 1900, Wanty was nominated by President William McKinley to a seat on the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan vacated by Judge Henry Franklin Severens.

Wanty was confirmed by the United States Senate on March 13, 1900, and received his commission the same day.

[1] He was succeeded by another attorney from the firm that he had founded, Loyal Edwin Knappen.