James Simpson Conwell (July 4, 1859 – December 15, 1917) was a businessman, inventor and local politician in Illinois and California.

[1] He moved to Los Angeles after graduation and in 1885 became a partner in the men's furnishing business of Evans & Conwell.

"Never before at the funeral of a city official was there such a profusion of floral offerings and tribute," said the Los Angeles Times.

"[6] Conwell was a town clerk in Evanston in 1881 and 1882 and was a member of the United States Life Saving Crew.

In San Francisco, he was a member of the Charter Committee of One Hundred in that city and president of the Motor Dealers Association there in 1911 and 1912.