James Menzies (9 August 1862 – 1 November 1945) was an Australian businessman and politician who served in the Victorian Legislative Assembly from 1911 to 1920, representing the district of Lowan.

His father – born in Renfrewshire – was drawn to Ballarat by the Victorian gold rush, and worked initially as a miner and later as a machinery salesman.

[4] In 1893, Menzies moved to the small Wimmera township of Jeparit, where he took over the general store that had previously been owned by his brother-in-law Sydney Sampson.

The move was prompted by his desire to relocate to a warmer climate for health reasons, though it may have also been related to the ongoing banking crisis.

He supplemented the family's income by acting as an agent for insurance firms and stock and station agencies, and also made occasional hawking trips to remote outposts.

[6] Menzies "occupied every presidential chair Jeparit had to offer, political, civic, social, and sporting", and endeared himself to the local farming community by extending generous lines of credit.

[10] However, in 1916 he crossed the floor to vote against a government bill that would have mandated the closure of Victoria's Lutheran schools (which were primarily German-speaking).

He was one of the few MPs to speak out against the discrimination against German-Australians that was widespread during the war, stating that he knew many of the Germans in his constituency from his previous business dealings and that he could vouch for their character.

[11][12] Menzies was re-elected to Lowan unopposed in 1914 and 1917, but at the 1920 election lost to the Victorian Farmers' Union candidate, Marcus Wettenhall.

[13] He joined BHP as a statistical officer and tariff adviser in 1926, and also served on the executive of the Australian Industries Protection League.

Robert became the longest-serving Prime Minister of Australia, while Frank was Crown Solicitor for Victoria and Isabel managed the Royal Exhibition Building.