John Watson Cary (February 11, 1817 – March 29, 1895) was an American lawyer and politician.

He was the chief legal counsel to the Chicago, Milwaukee, and St. Paul Railroad for 36 years, from 1859 until his death.

He was seen as an extremely accomplished lawyer, having successfully argued many cases before the Supreme Court of the United States.

[1] Cary's lineage can be traced back to the 12th century Lord Adam De Kari in Somersetshire, England.

His first American ancestor was also named John Cary [Wikidata] and arrived in the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1634.