His mother died when he was 3 years old and his father when George was 6, after which he was cared for by his grandfather, Garret Williamson, in Hamilton, Butler County, Ohio.

[3] At the age of 16, the Lewis book states, "he came overland to California, accompanying his uncle, Henry Williamson, who brought with him a band of thoroughbred horses and cattle."

It was Gard who "fielded the first traffic squad in 1881, composed of an unknown number of officers, to 'horse, wagon and carriage' control to ensure pedestrian safety.

Mr. Gard was the president and general manager of the company, and he developed water in the Little Dalton Cañon and piped the same to that tract at an expense of about $25,000.

In addition to his home place he has a tract of 107 acres (0.4 km2) of hill and valley land, one-fourth of a mile south of Alosta, upon which there is a five-acre orange grove and a two-acre orchard of deciduous fruits.

He also has lands on Citrus and Broadway avenues in the Gladstone tract, which is well improved and producing deciduous and citrus fruits, besides business and residence property in Alosta, including wood and coal yard, cottages, etc.He was active in Republican politics in the Grand Army of the Republic organization, being elected in 1888 to the GAR's national council and being named commander of the Department of California in 1889.