When Sam Ballas immigrated to America, he worked on the railroad with his father and brothers. His search for a better life led him to become a farmer. Sam and his brothers, Bill and Louie, bought farmland in Wisconsin. The land they purchased was mostly swamp land and not conducive to farming. Sam persevered and eventually purchased a new farm and made a good living.

Sam ventured back to the old country to find a wife (unlike his brother, Bill, who sent for one). He returned with a girl named Diana, they married and had four boys, Jimmy, Chris, John and Spiros. Diana wanted the boys to be "Greek", so they spoke Greek during their youth and married Greek girls.

We do not have any pictures of Sam, and only a few of his wife, Diana, and of their son, Jimmy. Sam was a good man and all Ballas. He was a credit to the group of Greek immigrants who made America their home.