John C. Young was born in Greencastle, Pennsylvania on August 12, 1803 to John and Mary Clarke Young.  His father and his uncle were Presbyterian ministers, and he quickly determined to follow that course.  To that end, he was educated at home and then at a classical school in New York City, before entering Columbia College there.  After three years at Columbia, he withdrew and entered Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, where he graduated with the class of 1823.  

William Trickett was born on June 9, 1840 in the English Midlands town of Leicester. When he was very young his family moved from England to Philadelphia where he lived until he entered Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania in 1866. Two years later he was awarded his bachelor of arts degree. Upon graduation in 1868, Trickett assumed the role of principal of the Dickinson Grammar School for one year, followed by service for two years as adjunct professor of philosophy at the College.