In 1823 Helm called on Representative Benjamin Hardin.[11] While Hardin and Helm discussed business, Hardin's 14-year-old daughter, Lucinda, entered the room to show her father a map she had drawn.[11] Helm later claimed it was love at first sight, and began to pursue Lucinda's affections.[11] They courted for seven years, married in 1830 and had six daughters and five sons together.[4][12] One of his sons, Benjamin Hardin Helm, was a Confederate general in the Civil War and was killed at the Battle of Chickamauga.[1]