Ben Crider (1869-1900) was the first identified Chief of Police in Carrollton, Georgia. There may have been a person in the role of Chief that preceded him, but this information has not yet been found. Ben was the son of Austin Green LaFayette “AGL” Crider (1836-1912) and Elizabeth Burns (1843-1928). There is some mystery about the origins of his father. It appears that Austin Green LaFayette may have been born with the last name of Cheek and was adopted by Martin and Mary Crider. In the 1860 U.S. Census, AGL and Elizabeth were living with Martin and Mary Crider in Carroll County, Georgia.

Austin Green LaFayette Cheek (adopted Crider) (1836-1912), lived in Carroll County, Georgia and worked as a farmer. Mr. Crider also served as a Private in the U.S. Civil War as a confederate soldier in the 44th Regiment, Georgia Infantry. He was born February 6, 1836 and died May 29, 1912. He was married to Elizabeth H. Burns (1843-1928) and had 6 children together: S. Martin Crider (1861-1891), Mary Jane Crider (1866-1927), John Newton Crider (1867-1954), Benjamin H. “Ben” Oratus Crider (1869-1900), Joseph G. Crider (1872-1914), and Eva B. Crider (1875-1978).

AGL and Elizabeth had 6 children: S. Martin Crider (1861-1891), Mary Jane Crider (1866-1927), John Newton Crider (1867-1954), Benjamin H. “Ben” Oratus Crider (1869-1900), Joseph G. Crider (1872-1914), and Eva B. Crider (1875-1978).

Many of the people in these photographs, which appear to date from the 1880s-1890s based upon their format of cartes de visite or cabinet cards, are not identified. The provenance of this photography collection is also unknown. Because of the identification on the back of the photos and because of the funeral card for S. Martin Crider, we presume that the people depicted are related.

S. Martin Crider (1861-1891), lived in Carroll County, Georgia and worked on a farm. It also appears that he worked at the firm of Hamrick and Crider, a drugstore. He was born October 12, 1861 and died September 2, 1891. Martin Crider was murdered at the Hamrick and Crider’s drug store by Grant Gilley. He was married to Mary Ann “Mollie” Stewart (1867-1911) and their infant daughter preceded him in death, Myrtie Lee Crider (1888-1889).

Benjamin H. “Ben” Oratus Crider (1869-1900) lived in Carroll County, Georgia where he worked as Chief of Police. He was born September 1, 1869 and died June 7, 1900. Ben Crider was shot and killed by a man he was attempting to arrest. Ben Crider was married to Ruby Esther Brodnax (1870-), and they had two children: Zelda Crider (1893-) and Hammel [possibly Hamrick?] Joel Crider (1897-1968).

John Newton Crider (1867-1954), lived in Carroll County, Georgia where he worked as a police officer. He was born December 1, 1867 and died March 30, 1954. He was married to Viola Bostain-Crider (1875-1943) and had 4 children: Raymond Crider (1902-1987), Marion Elizabeth Crider (1904-1982), Dorothy Crider-Copeland (1907-1944), Sarah Frances Crider-Hazeltine (1911-2002).

Mary Jane Crider Jones (1866-1927) lived in Carroll County. She was born March 21, 1866 and died July 1, 1927. She was married to William O. Jones (1861-1924) and had 8 children: Pearl Jones (1884-), Ethel Jones (1890-1890), Mary Jones (1892-1892), Hewlett Calhaun Jones (1893-1939), Eva Gladys Jones (1896-1964), Mona Elizabeth Jones (1897-1985), John Howell Jones (1899-1978), Janette Jones (1904-1905).

Joseph G. Crider (1872-1914) lived in Carroll County, Georgia, Caruthersville, Missouri, and died in Shelby, Tennessee. Mr. Crider was born May 1872 and died June 13, 1914. He worked as a Physician and Surgeon. He was married to Mary Betsy “Mayme” Faris and had 3 children: Joseph Raymond Crider (1903-1933), Happy Lenore Crider (1904-1993), Mary Virginia Crider (1909-2007).

Eva B. Crider Hamilton (1875-1978) lived in Carroll County, Georgia, Birmingham, Alabama, and died in Kingsport, Tennessee. Mrs. Eva Crider Hamilton was born December 5, 1875 and died February 9, 1978. She was married to Lewis Thompson Hamilton (1873-1934) and had 4 children: Nestor Hamilton (1910-), Victor Crider Hamilton (1910-1993), Francis Lewis “Red” Hamilton, Alton Lamar Hamilton (1916-1955)

Bertha Mae Dewberry Sutton (1879-1960) lived in Atlanta, Georgia, where she worked as a housewife. She was born June 15, 1879 and died November 21, 1960. She was married to John Linton Sutton (1872-1907) and had 1 child: Helen Elizabeth Sutton (1901-1982). While her photograph is included in this collection, her relationship to the Crider famiy is unknown.