She was the third of six children born to the paint and wine merchant, Heinrich Daniel Theodor Heuser (1767–1848), and his wife, Katharina Luisa née Jügel (1776–1841). Her grandfather, , was the founder of a large trading company.Heinrich Daniel Theodor Heuser, genealogy @ Heidermanns Her aunt, the artist Henriette Jügel, taught her how to paint and draw. Her desire to make art her professional career was discouraged by her father, although her sisters, Louise and Alwine would become artists. Another sister, Ida (1817-1880), married the painter Karl Friedrich Lessing in 1841.
