| William A. James | |
| Birth Name: | William Andrew James |
| Birth Date: | 8 December 1838 |
| Birth Place: | Providence, Rhode Island |
| Death Place: | Highland Park, Illinois |
| Resting Place: | Lake Forest Cemetery |
| Occupation: | Military officer, politician |
| Party: | Republican |
| Office1: | Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives |
| Term Start1: | 1879 |
| Term End1: | 1880 |
| Office2: | Member of the Illinois House of Representatives |
| Term Start2: | 1874 |
| Term End2: | 1880 |
| Office3: | Mayor of Highland Park, Illinois |
| Term Start3: | 1873 |
| Term End3: | 1874 |
William Andrew James (December 8, 1838 - December 31, 1893) was an American politician and Republican member of the Illinois House of Representatives.
William A. James was born December 8, 1838, in Providence, Rhode Island. He served in the American Civil War, reaching the rank of colonel in the Union Army. He moved to Chicago in 1865 and open a steam machinery business. After the Great Chicago Fire, he moved to Highland Park, Illinois.[1] He was elected mayor in 1873.[2]
He was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives in 1874 and served for three terms. He served as Speaker in his final term.[1]
He died in Highland Park on December 31, 1893, and was buried at Lake Forest Cemetery.[3] [4]