George was the son of Jesse and Hannah Crosby. He initially traveled to the Valley with his family in 1847. In 1850, he lived in Utah county with his mother and brothers. Several years later, he worked as a teamster for  Daniel Thompson's out-and-back company in 1866.

Company records seem to indicate there  were two teamsters by the name of Crosby. There is a wagon assigned to "G. Crosby" and another wagon assigned to "G.W. Crosby." However teamster lists just list one Crosby. It is uncertain if there actually were two teamsters with this surname or if they were the same man.