James D. Putnam (March 13, 1859 – February 13, 1917) was an American lawyer and politician.
He was also involved in the real estate and hotel businesses, raising cattle, and cigar manufacturing.
Putnam also served as the police magistrate in Elmwood, Illinois.
In 1916, Putnam was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives serving in 1917 until his death.
Putnam became ill at his home in Elmwood and taken to the Deaconess Hospital, in Peoria, Illinois, where he died.