James Tufts (September 19, 1829–August 18, 1884) was a United States politician and acting governor of Montana Territory in 1869.[1]
Born in Charlestown, New Hampshire, Tufts graduated from Middlebury College in 1855 and was admitted to the bar in 1857. Tufts moved to Niobrara in the Nebraska Territory, where he became a probate judge and served in the territorial legislature. He served as secretary for the legislative council of the Dakota Territory. Tufts served in the Idaho territorial legislature and was the first speaker. He was appointed territorial secretary for the Montana Territory and served as its acting governor. Tufts ran for the Montana territorial delegate to the United States House of Representatives and lost the election. He then moved back to Niobrara, Nebraska, to farm and practice law. Tufts died in Niobrara.[2]