John Elbert Sater (January 16, 1854 – July 18, 1937) was a United States federal judge.
Born in New Haven, Ohio, Sater received an A.B. from Marietta College in 1875 and an A.M. from Marietta College in 1878, before reading law to enter the bar in 1884. He was a Superintendent of Schools, Wauseon, Ohio from 1875 to 1881. County school examiner, Wauseon, Ohio. He was a Chief clerk, Office of State Commissioner of Common Schools from 1881 to 1884. He was a Member, Board of Education, Columbus, Ohio from 1885 to 1890. He was a President from 1888 to 1889.
Sater was a federal judge on the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio. Sater received a recess appointment from President Theodore Roosevelt on March 18, 1907, to a new seat created by 34 Stat. 928; nominated on December 8, 1908. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on March 1, 1909, and received his commission the same day. Sater served in that capacity until November 18, 1924, due to retirement.