He also represented the state during the Civil War in the First Confederate Congress from 1862 to 1864.
He grew up in Kenansville and took over his father Thomas S Kenan’s Plantation Liberty Hall, which became a hot spot for gala affairs.
Owen Rand Kenan was a successful and prosperous planter; he and Sarah had four children, three sons that served in the Civil War and a daughter Annie.
His wife Sarah died in 1871 and Owen died in March 1887; both he and Sarah's grave stones are located at the present day Liberty Hall Restoration.
At Owen's death his unmarried daughter Annie Kenan became Mistress of Liberty Hall.