Gorton Anderson is listed as a hairdresser / barber at 103 Thames Street in Newport, RI in the 1849 N. E. Mercantile Union Business Directory.

By 1865 he had moved to 119 Thames Street where he also became a perfumer, selling fancy goods, perfumes, toys, etc.

In 1879 he was listed as a hairdresser at 127 Thames Street having quit all of his other ventures in that year, remaining solely a hairdresser. His place of business was 119 1/2 Thames Street which was also his residence.

Anderson retired in 1886.