A native of Stilwell, Rider took pre-law classes from Northeastern State University following his tour of duty during the Korean War. After receiving his law degree from the University of Tulsa in 1961, he maintained a law practice in Stilwell. He served that community as city attorney as well as attorney for the utility board. In addition to his law practice, Rider was a noted steel guitarist. He made solo records and accompanied such noted musicians as Johnnie Lee Wills and Leon McAuliffe. Principal Chief Ross Swimmer first appointed Rider to the bench in 1980. He was reappointed in 1987 by Principal Chief Wilma Mankiller. Late in 1989 Rider became the first Justice to die in office when he passed away while undergoing medical treatment in Temple, Texas.
Biographical information taken from “The First Fifteen Years of the Cherokee Nation Judicial Appeals Tribunal” written by George N. Otey, III in 1990