James Nelson Burnes (August 22, 1827 – January 23, 1889) was a U.S. Representative from Missouri.

He was admitted to the bar and commenced practice in Missouri.

Principal owner and president of the St. Joseph Waterworks Co.. Burnes was elected as a Democrat to the Forty-eighth, Forty-ninth, and Fiftieth Congresses and served from March 4, 1883, until his death.

James N. Burnes had been reelected to the Fifty-first Congress, but died in Washington, D.C., on January 23, 1889, before the commencement of the congressional term.

Charles F. Booher replaced the deceased James N. Burnes, who was interred in Mount Mora Cemetery, St. Joseph, Buchanan County, Missouri.