William James Smith Hodson was born in Purakanui, where his father John Hodson (1) worked and lived on a dairy farm near Warrington, north of Port Chalmers. From Purakanui it appears that the family moved to Fairfield, Dunedin where Mr Hodson worked in a coal mine.

In June of 1906 it appears that the Hodson family moved to Bannockburn, possibly to dwelling #244. William James Smith Hodson may have attended the Bannockburn School. He may have also worked in the local coal mines for a time.

About this time, William left Bannockburn and went to Herbert in North Otago with Edward Lawrence. They were employed to do some investigation work in a coal mine there. While at Herbert,William joined the North Otago Rifles.

William Hodson served in W.W.1 and was wounded.

On his return from the Great War, Mr William Hodson purchased dwelling #241 from Robert Toms (or possibly James Breen)

William James Smith Hodson married Elizabeth Frances Lawrence, daughter of Thomas Lawrence. They were married in the Bannockburn Presbyterian Church. Mr Hodson ran the 'Hyawatha' orchard and also ran a few cows. He also worked in various coal mines in Bannockburn during the winter months.

The William Hodson family moved from Bannockburn to Cromwell where Mr Hodson worked in a coal mine under the area where the Cromwell oxidation ponds are now located. Mr John Parsons purchased dwelling #241 and the farm.