Born into the family of a factory worker at Hammarby bruk in Gästrikland, Uppström had his education partly paid for by his father's employer Tore Petré. After completing school in Gävle, he enrolled at Uppsala University in 1824, and was awarded the highest degree at the Faculty of Philosophy, filosofie magister, in 1833.
Born into the family of a factory worker at Hammarby bruk in Gästrikland, Uppström received some of his education funded by his father's employer Tore Petré. After finishing school in Gävle, he enrolled at Uppsala University in 1824 and earned the highest degree from the Faculty of Philosophy, filosofie magister, in 1833.