The 1930 "Arkansas and Its People," refers to the marriage of Miss Lydia May Ballew, "youngest daughter of Judge Logan H. Ballew, of Chariton County, Missouri." It also mentions "Judge Ballew was taken prisoner by the Union forces and spent many months in prison. Mrs. Norman is a typical Southern lady." This shows up on Google Books in a snippet view, and appears to be part of a more extensive profile of Ballew, as the snippet speaks of his benevolent spirit and hospitality and about his raising a company and it being depleted trying to fight its way South before being absorbed into Price's Army.

There are a couple of Chariton County histories written in the late 1800s--they may have a biography or other details on Ballew. In addition, there are a number of late 1800s "Bench and Bar" books that were published in Missouri generally, and in some Missouri counties, that might reveal some information.