Judge Artelle Haltom
By Justin Lamb
Photo courtesy of the Haltom Family
The Haltom family is one of the oldest families of Marshall County. James Lane Haltom was the first to arrive in Marshall County from North Carolina in December 1859 and over the years, the Haltoms have been one of the most well known families in the county. Perhaps one of the most successful members of the Haltom family was Ambrose Artelle Haltom who served in World War II and later became County Judge and Benton City Judge.
Ambrose Artelle Haltom was born to James Hardin and Mary (Siress) Haltom in Benton on December 18, 1911. Haltom attended Church Grove School was a student under Alvin Naaman Duke, Sr. Haltom spent most of his boyhood days working alongside his father on the family farm trying to make ends meet during the Great Depression. In the late 1930s, Haltom met Miss Nellene Anderson and the couple eventually married.
When America became involved in World War II, Haltom joined the United States Army in May 1942. Once completing his training at Camp Pickett, Virginia, Haltom was shipped overseas to England. As a member of the 79th Infantry Division, Haltom invaded France five days after D-Day and on July 6, 1944; he took part in the Battle of Saint- Lo which has been called by many historians as one of the worst battles fought during the war. During the battle, Haltom was shot and wounded in both legs. Years later, Haltom recalled that dreadful day in France, “When I was wounded it was late in the afternoon. It was about six o’clock in the afternoon and over there it doesn’t get dark in France until about eleven o’clock at night. They gave me a shot and I went to sleep. A First Lieutenant came back there where I was and I told him I was cold and he wanted to take his field jacket off and I told him no because they were coming to pick me up and I didn’t want him to be out in the cold all night without a jacket. One of the other soldiers found a German overcoat (it was probably from dead German) and they brought it back and covered me up with that German overcoat. They finally carried me to field hospital and put me in a tent by myself. They got me to the operating room and one of the medics said, “Oh no, we got us a German!” Well, I told them real quick that I wasn’t a German and I quickly got rid of that overcoat!”
After being wounded, Haltom was shipped back to England where he was confined to a bed for seven months. He eventually was stable enough to be shipped back to America where he was bedridden for several more months. Haltom eventually lost one of his legs due to his injuries received in battle. Haltom was honorably discharged and arrived back in Marshall County in 1946. For his service, he received the Purple Heart, E.A.M.E. Campaign Medal, the Bronze Star, American Theatre Medal, Victory Medal, and Combat Infantryman’s Badge.
After returning home, Haltom was approached by members of the local Democratic committee about running for Sheriff of Marshall County. However, Haltom, who was still recovering from his wounds from the war, turned them down. Four years later, Haltom was approached by former County Judge Java Gregory about running for the office of County Judge. Haltom who had no political experience was hesitant at first, but after talking with his friends and family, decided to make the race. In the August Democratic Primary, Haltom easily defeated incumbent Judge Leonard Jones by 1,682 votes. The 1953 Democratic Primary saw the election of six World War II veterans: Artelle Haltom as County Judge, Milburn Jones as Tax Commissioner, Billy Watkins as Sheriff, W.J. “Toad” Brien as County Court Clerk, George McClain as Coroner, and Shelby McCallum as State Representative.
During his first term, County Judge Artelle Haltom led a pro-active administration. He passed a road reconstruction plan and passed a measure that made the Marshall County Health Department a special taxing district. Judge Haltom was narrowly re-elected in 1956 by only 26 votes over local farmer John Rayburn. Judge Haltom’s second term was dominated by the construction of the annex on north side of the courthouse which was completed in 1962. At the end of his second term in 1962, Judge Haltom kept with the tradition of a two term limit of the County Judge’s office and did not seek re-election. However, Haltom declared his candidacy for City Judge of Benton. Haltom easily won the Democratic Primary, but lost to his Republican opponent and incumbent judge, Harvey A. Riley, in the General Election. Haltom eventually was elected Benton City Judge in 1969 and served two terms until the office was abolished in the mid 1970s.
After his term as City Judge ended, Judge Haltom retired from public life, but remained active in the community. He was a Kentucky Colonel, member of the Disabled American Veterans, and long time member of Church Grove United Methodist Church. Judge Artelle Haltom passed away on September 1, 1997 and was buried in the Haltom Cemetery in Benton.