James Williams (May 21, 1822 – November 1892) was a Republican politician in the U.S. State of Ohio who was in the Ohio House of Representatives, and was Ohio State Auditor 1872–1880. James Williams was born in Prince George's County, Maryland, and moved with his family to Mechanicsburg, Champaign County, Ohio in 1831. He was educated, studied medicine, and was admitted to practice in 1843. In 1849, he caught Gold Fever, and went to California. When Williams returned to Champaign County in 1851, he was elected to the Ohio House of Representatives for the 50th General Assembly in 1852–1853.