James Fearon (businessman)
James Sturgis Fearon was the Chairman of the Shanghai Municipal Council in from 1898 to 1899.
James Fearon | |
---|---|
Chairman of the Shanghai Municipal Council | |
In office January 1898 – August 1899 | |
Preceded by | Albert Burkill |
Succeeded by | Frederick Anderson |
Personal details | |
Born | Sydney, Australia | February 12, 1849
Died | Tianjin, China | October 26, 1920 (aged 71)
Profession | Businessman |
Biography
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.
Marriage
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]
References
- Findagrave.com entry for Fearon
- North China Herald, October 30, 1920, p326
- Findagrave entry for Fearon
- North China Herald, October 30, 1920, p326
- North China Herald, August 28, 1899, p430 and North China Herald, October 30, 1920, p326
- North China Herald, August 28, 1899, p430
- North China Herald, October 30, 1920, p326; Findagrave entry for Fearon
- Findagrave entry for Fearon
- North China Herald, June 7, 1934, p2