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.
Uppström was born into a family where his father worked as a factory worker at Hammarby bruk in Gästrikland. His education was partially supported by Tore Petré, his father's employer. After finishing school in Gävle, he studied at Uppsala University and earned the highest degree from the Faculty of Philosophy, filosofie magister, in 1833.