Abraham Herr Smith was born in Manor Township near Millersville, Pennsylvania on March 7, 1815 the son of Jacob Smith, a millwright, and Elizabeth Herr.  His parents died when he was eight years old and he and his sister spent the remainder of their childhood with their paternal grandmother.  He received early schooling at the Lititz Academy and also studied surveying at the Franklin Institute in Lancaster.  After a start at college life at Harrington College, Smith entered Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania and joined the class of 1840.  While at the College

Albert Ramsey was born in Carlisle, Pennsylvania in 1813.  He and his brother, William Sterritt Ramsey, were the sons of William Ramsey (1779-1831) who was the Jacksonian representative during the 21st, 22nd, and 23rd United States Congresses and died in office.  Both brothers entered the local Dickinson College with the class of 1830 but did not graduate.  Both brothers were, however, elected to the Union Philosophical Society at the College, Albert in the class of 1829 and William with the class of 1830.