James Sturgis Fearon was the Chairman of the Shanghai Municipal Council from 1898 to 1899.

Fearon moved to Shanghai at the age of 21 in 1870 and joined the staff of Augustin, Heard & Co in the tea department.

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.

[2] Fearon was elected to and became chairman of the Shanghai Municipal Council in January 1898 and served until August 1899 when he resigned.