Herter was born in Paris, France, to American artist and expatriate parents, Albert Herter and Adele McGinnis, and attended the École Alsacienne  there (1901–1904) before moving to New York City, where he attended the Browning School (1904–1911).
Herter lahir di Paris, Prancis, dari orangtua ekspatriat dan artis Amerika, Albert Herter dan Adele McGinnis, dan masuk École Alsacienne (1901–1904) sebelum pindah ke New York City, dimana ia masuk Browning School (1904–1911).