When Louie came from Greece to find a better life in America, it was just the beginning of his search. Louie was the vagabond of the family. He joined his brothers on the railroad in Savanna, Illinois and then moved to Wisconsin to take up farming. In a few short years, Louie was on the move again. He got into the grocery business, the tavern business, moved back to Savanna, and back again to Wisconsin.

Louie was a man of many talents. He was a tradesman, specializing in masonry and woodworking. Whatever Louie built, it was of excellent design and quality. He could paint, draw, and tells stories which caused people to marvel.

Louie married Anna Basile, the sister of his brother, John's, wife. They had three children, Jimmy, Helen, and Caroline.

Louie Ballas was the most outgoing and friendly man on the planet. If someone knew Louie, that person would almost brag about it. To know Louie was as distinct pleasure, to call him a friend was an honor. He most resembled his younger brother, Christos, in looks and mannerisms, a brother who lived 5,000 miles away, who he never got to know. Louie was the "quintessential" Ballas, unique in every way.