James W. Nesmith | |
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| United States Senator from Oregon | |
| In office March 4, 1861 – March 3, 1867 | |
| Preceded by | Joseph Lane |
| Succeeded by | Henry W. Corbett |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Oregon's At-large district | |
| In office December 1, 1873 – March 3, 1875 | |
| Preceded by | Joseph G. Wilson |
| Succeeded by | George Augustus La Dow |
| 4th Supreme Judge of the Provisional Government of Oregon | |
| In office December 25, 1844 – August 9, 1845 | |
| Preceded by | Ira Babcock |
| Succeeded by | Peter Hardeman Burnett |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 23, 1820 New Brunswick, British Canada |
| Died | June 17, 1885 (aged 64) Rickreall, Oregon |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Profession | Lawyer |
James Willis Nesmith (July 23, 1820 – June 17, 1885) was an American politician and lawyer from Oregon. Born in New Brunswick to American parents, he grew up in New Hampshire and Maine. A Democrat, he moved to Oregon Country in 1843 where he entered politics as a judge, a legislator in the Provisional Government of Oregon, a United States Marshal, and after statehood a United States senator and Representative.
Nesmith’s grandson, Clifton N. McArthur, and son-in-law, Levi Ankeny, both later served in Congress.