Ben Chaffey
Introduction
Ben Chaffey (1876 – 3 March 1937) was a butcher, pastoralist and business man in Australia. He was active in horse racing.
Early life
Ben Chaffey was born in Kingston, Ontario, Canada, the son of engineer George Chaffey and his wife Ann. The family came to Australia in 1885 and Ben lived with his parents in Mildura, Victoria.
Business interests
Chaffey worked as a butcher, but his fortune started with a winning gamble on his horse "Mavis", became the owner of Moorara station in New South Wales, followed by Tapio, Culpaulin, Cuthero, Avoca. Kilfera, Manfred, Tolarno and other properties, most of which were subsequently taken up by the Crozier family.
He was elected chairman of the board of directors of United Distillers Pty. Ltd., a director of Goldsbrough, Mort and Co, and managing director of Manfred Pastoral Co. He was a member of the Australian Club and various sporting clubs. He was the owner of several successful racehorses, including Caulfield Cup winners Manfred and Whittier, and in 1930 served as chairman of the Victoria Amateur Turf Club.
Personal life
He married Cowra Crozier, a daughter of Elliot Crozier. They had a daughter, Mavis (Mrs. Albert Campbell). He died at his home in Tullamarine, Victoria.