James M. Oakley (June 19, 1839 in New York City - March 25, 1887 in Jamaica, Queens County, New York) was an American politician from New York.
He attended the public schools, and then engaged in the real estate business.
He was a member of the New York State Assembly (Queens Co., 2nd D.) in 1871, 1872, 1873, 1874 and 1875.
He was a delegate to the 1872 and 1876 Democratic National Conventions. In 1877, he was appointed by Gov. Lucius Robinson as Commissioner of Quarantine.
He was a member of the New York State Senate (1st D.) in 1878 and 1879.
He was President of the New York, Woodhaven and Rockaway Railroad from 1881 until his death.
He died at his home in Jamaica, Queens, on March 25, 1887, of "paralysis of the heart," and was buried at the Prospect Cemetery in Queens.