[1] Cafferata was born in Buenos Aires, the son of an immigrant businessman from Genoa, Italy, who had settled in Rosario (southern Santa Fe).

[2] He returned to Rosario after his graduation in 1881 to become the Political Chief of the city (at the time the local municipal authorities were appointed by the provincial government, not elected by the citizens).

Cafferata was Minister of Government to governors Manuel María Zavalla, José Gálvez and his own successor Luciano Leiva.

Facing a difficult economic situation, his government issued bonds without authorization of the Legislature to pay public employees' salaries.

A few days after the beginning of the uprising known as the Revolution of 1893, which questioned the legitimacy of the elections that had taken him to power, Cafferata resigned and moved with his family to Buenos Aires.