James Fearon (businessman)

Fearon was born in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia in 1849, the youngest son of Christopher Fearon and Grace Fearon.[1]

Fearon moved to Shanghai at the age of 21 in 1870. He joined the staff of Augustin, Heard & Co in the tea department. When that firm when out of business, he formed the firm of Fearon, Lowe & co with Mr E.G. Lowe. After Lowe's death he was joined in partnership by Mr Daniel and in 1880, Fearon, Daniel & Co was established. In 1900 he moved to New York City to run Fearon Daniel & Co's business there. He returned to China in 1910 and was principally based in Tianjin.[2] He naturalised as an American in 1903.[3]

In his younger days, Fearon was an active member of the Victoria Company of the Shanghai Fire Brigade. Later, he was part of a committee that was responsible for creating the public recreation ground at the Shanghai Race Course. He was later a Steward of the Shanghai Race Club.[4]

Fearon was elected to and became chairman of the Shanghai Municipal Council in January 1898 and served until August 1899 when he resigned.[5] He was replaced as Chairman by Frederick Anderson.[6]

Fearon died on 26 October 1920 in Tianjin and was buried at the Canton Road Cemetery[7] His grave was destroyed along with the cemetery during the Cultural Revolution.

Fearon married Emily Wood. They had two sons, Frank L Fearon and A.F. Fearon and one daughter, Marjorie.[8] Emily died in 1934 in Shanghai and was buried at the Hongqiao Road Cemetery.[9]