He was born in 1905, in Lafto kebele in Webera awrajja in Hararghe. His father was "Dejazmach" Sileshi Woldesemayat and his mother was "Woyzero" Askale Garedew. His brother was "Dejazmach" Bezabeh Sileshi. At the outbreak of the Italian invasion in 1935, he was a major in the Ethiopian Army. During the occupation, he joined the resistance and became one of its leaders in Shewa.