Hergesheimer was born in Allentown, Pennsylvania on January 7, 1873.
Her parents were Charles P. Hergesheimer and Ellamanda Ritter Hergesheimer.
She was encouraged to create art in her childhood.

Hergesheimer was the great-great granddaughter of Philadelphia artist Charles Willson Peale, who named one of his daughters Sophonisba after the Italian artist, Sofonisba Anguissola.
Hergesheimer chose to use Sophonisba as her first name.
Hergesheimer was born in Allentown, Pennsylvania on January 7, 1873. Her parents were Charles P. Hergesheimer and Ellamanda Ritter Hergesheimer. She was encouraged to create art in her childhood.
Hergesheimer was the great-great granddaughter of Philadelphia artist Charles Willson Peale, who named one of his daughters Sophonisba after the Italian artist, Sofonisba Anguissola. Hergesheimer chose to use Sophonisba as her first name.
Ella Sophonisba Hergesheimer