Background
Rayner, Kenneth was born on June 20, 1808 in Bertie County, North Carolina, United States. Son of Amos Rayner.
Rayner, Kenneth was born on June 20, 1808 in Bertie County, North Carolina, United States. Son of Amos Rayner.
Born in Bertie County, North Carolina, Rayner attended Tarborough Academy, then studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1829.
Rayner moved to Hertford County, where he practiced law. In 1835, Rayner was a delegate to the state Constitutional Convention. He served terms in the North Carolina House of Commons in 1835 and 1836 before being elected to the United States. Congress in 1838.
He served three terms as a Whig, in the 26th, 27th, and 28th Congresses (March 4, 1839 - March 3, 1845).
Rayner did not run for a fourth term in 1844, but returned to the State House in 1846, 1848, and 1850, and was elected to the North Carolina Senate in 1854. In 1871 Rayner was appointed by President Grant as one of the court commissioners to settle the Alabama Claims.
From 1877 to 1884 he was Solicitor of the United States Treasury. Rayner died in Washington, District of Columbia on March 4, 1884 and is buried in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Member North Carolina House of Commons, 1836-1840, 46-52. Member United States House of Representatives (Democrat) from North Carolina, 26th-28th congresses, 1839-1845. Member North Carolina Senate, 1854.
Member grand council American (Know-Nothing) Party.
Member Secession Convention, 1861.
Married Susan Polk.