Obituaries Australia

Ben Osborne, n.d.

from Pastoralists' Review 15 February 1912

Mr. Ben M. Osborne, who died at his residence, Hopewood, Bowral, New South Wales, on the 15th of last month, was one of the most widely-known pastoralists of Australia, and he came of a family intimately associated with the pioneering and development of the mother State. The deceased was the sixth son of the late Mr. Henry Osborne, who came out to Australia and settled in the Illawarra district on a grant he named Marshall Mount. He gradually acquired more land in that locality, and at times he drove his cattle right across the continent to Adelaide, travelling by compass only. In the course of time he acquired, among other properties, Brookong, Urangeline, Wagra, and The Point at Jugiong, and when he died he left each of his thirteen children a fortune. Mr. Ben M. Osborne was the sixth son, and to him was willed the Jugiong Estate. In 1869 he began to consolidate the property, and he purchased from the late William Macansh the south portion of Jugiong holding, now known as Benangaroo. In 1873 he purchased Widgeongully from the late James Pring, and in 1875 the Redbank portion of Jugiong came into his possession, and three years later he purchased Gunnong Jugrawah, and so made his property one compact block. Mr. Osborne was a keen businessman, but kind-hearted, and of simple tastes. He was born in 1837, and in 1886 he married Lucy Throsby, who predeceased him about twelve years ago. Their family consisted of seven daughters and five sons, all of whom are, with the exception of one son, married. In 1906 Mr. Osborne cut the estate up among his five sons, Hope Osborne securing Widgeongully, Ben M. Osborne, jun., Redbank, Dr. J. K. Osborne, Benangaroo, Oliver T. Osborne, Bundarbo, and Henry C. Osborne, Gunnong Jugrawah.