My Genealogy Hound

GEORGE W. GARD. No worthy reference to the agricultural affairs of Cass County would be complete without mention of Mr. Gard, among others engaged in tilling the soil. Besides this he enjoys to an unlimited extent the confidence and esteem of all who know him, and is one of the influential men of the county. Like many of the most active and enterprising residents of the community, he was born here, and is much more likely to succeed here than a stranger. His father, Milton J. Gard, is a prominent man of Volinia Township and has made his home here for many years. The maiden name of the mother of our subject was Olive Green, and she died when our subject was three years old.

George W. Gard first saw the light in Volinia Township, his birth occurring April 4, 1848, and in that township lie grew to manhood and received a district-school education. When twenty years of age he branched out as an educator, and continued this occupation in his own district for nine years. Under his charge were about one hundred pupils in one district. Later, he taught in Districts No. 3 and 15, and continued his career as an educator for thirteen years. In 1873 he purchased his farm, and carried this on in connection with teaching.

Our subject’s happy domestic career commenced on the 14th of November, 1872, when he was married to Miss Rachel Kirby, daughter of the Rev. John and Mary (Rouse) Kirby, the father a native of England and the mother of New York. Mr. and Mrs. Kirby still reside in this township and are the parents of seven living children, Mrs. Gard being the sixth in order of birth. She was born on the 28th of October, 1851, in St. Joseph County, Mich., but was educated in Volinia Township, she and her husband being schoolmates. Before her marriage she taught school for some time. Mr. and Mrs. Gard are the parents of two interesting children: Olive K., now ten years of age; and Manly B., who is but a little chap of three years. Mr. Gard has shown his appreciation of secret organizations by becoming a member of Volinia Lodge No. 227, A. F. & A. M., of which he was Secretary for a long time. He was also Senior Deacon and Junior Warden. He is a member of the Anti-Horse Thief Association, of which he is Treasurer, and a member of the Farmers’ Club, of which he has been Vice-President. He takes a deep interest in all educational matters, and has been Director of District No. 4 for ten years. Active in politics, he supports the policy and principles of the Republican party and is often called to conventions. In 1872 he served as Township Clerk, and has held the office of Justice of the Peace for many years, being the present incumbent of that office. As long as the office of Township School Superintendent was in vogue he held that position. He is now serving his first term as Supervisor. During 1889 and 1890 he was Secretary of the County School Examining Board, and all the examining and visiting fell to his lot. He has also been Township School Inspector of Violinia.

In 1885 Mr. Gard went to Dakota, and there kept books for his uncle, Eli Green, for some time. No more influential or successful business man has his home in the county than Mr. Gard. He is known far and wide for integrity and fair dealing, and enjoys the confidence of all who know him. In addition to this, he is a farmer whose opinion on all matters pertaining to agriculture carry with them great weight in the community in which he lives. The farm of eighty acres that he owns is in a fine state of cultivation.