April 15, 1857 — September 8, 1936
Benjamin Harris Carrie, who went by Ben, was born April 15, 1857, in Big Shanty. His father was Gaspard T. Carrie, a prominent early citizen of the town. In 1886, Ben married Tallulah Brintle.
Carrie built a house on Cherokee Street around 1890. Today painted yellow, it is now owned by the City of Kennesaw. Carrie served as mayor of Kennesaw for two terms, serving from 1896 to 1897. By 1901, he held the office of Justice of the Peace and officiated the weddings of many Kennesaw couples. By 1904, Carrie had become involved with the local Meyerhardt Masonic Lodge, and at one point he served as secretary. He later served as city clerk and treasurer for the City of Kennesaw. In 1908, Carrie became a founder of the Kennesaw State Bank, which served the community for over 50 years. Carrie also served as county registrar.
During World War I, Carrie served on the board that sold Liberty Bonds in Kennesaw. When local mailman Frank Burt went to France to fight, Carrie served as a mail carrier.
During his lifetime, Carrie had many interests. He went to auto races in Atlanta, and he was on a local amateur checkers team. Benjamin Carrie passed away on September 8, 1936. He was buried in his family’s plot in the Kennesaw City Cemetery.
