BY ROBYN PARKES
Joseph was born in Bristol in 1812 to Joseph and Isabella Dodson. In 1834 he married Ann Dainty in Bath, Somerset.
After spending some time in Australia, Joseph sailed to Nelson in 1854 and shortly after arriving he purchased Dr Renwick’s interest in the Nelson brewery, Hooper & Co. The name was later changed to Hooper & Dodson. He then returned to Melbourne to wrap up his business matters, coming back to Nelson with his family on board the ship ‘Marchioness’ in September.
Joseph, shortly after his arrival in Nelson was elected a member of the Vestry of Christ Church and remained in either the position of Vestryman or Churchwarden until his death.
Joseph was elected a member of the Board of Works, a department that administered the affairs of the city, in 1858. Two years later the family sailed for England and were there for six years, returning to Nelson in 1860. On his return he was re-elected onto the Board.
Nelson was constituted a municipality on 9 April, 1874, and the first meeting of the Council was held on 17 April. The members of the Board of Works in office at the time of the proclamation became members of the first Borough Council and at the first meeting of the Council Joseph was elected as Mayor of Nelson.
He was re-elected on the 16th of December 1874 but resigned in January 1875.
Since the last election Joseph stated that he had never felt comfortable in the Council and had encountered great opposition from councillors at the other end of the table. He had always had a majority in decisions except in the matter of a loan, and in consequence of the resolution being negatived he saw great financial difficulties ahead and did not have the moral courage to grapple with this.
Having met with so little encouragement he saw no other course before him but to resign and a number of fellow councillors followed his example. He did serve a second term as Mayor from December 1877 until retirement in 1881. While in the office of Mayor he entertained two Governors of New Zealand and Sir Hercules Robinson when on official visits to Nelson.
Joseph became a prominent brewer and in 1855 helped to establish the Raglan Brewery. When he had returned to Nelson from his six years in England Joseph brought back some farm machinery to sell.
After establishing, he took up shares again in Hoopers brewery as he had sold his earlier ones. His son, Henry, joined Joseph in the business in 1879. His business partner of 30 years, George Hooper, died in 1884 and Joseph bought out Hoopers’ shares and began trading as J R Dodson & Son.
After retirement and up to a few days from his death, Joseph could still be seen out for his regular walks and chatting to people.
This kindly and genial man died on 12 October, 1890, aged 78 years and was buried in Wakapuaka Cemetery.
