sigel was born in sinsheim, baden (germany). he attended the gymnasium in bruchsal. he graduated from karlsruhe military academy in 1843, and was commissioned as a lieutenant in the baden army. in 1848 he was a part of the revolutions of 1848 in the german states. when the revolution failed he fled, eventually immigrating to new york city. there he worked at a number of different jobs. these include a teacher, musician, surveyor and the owner of a cigar store. in 1854 sigel married elsie dulon. together they had five children. in 1857 he moved to st louis, missouri where he was one of the founders of a monthly magazine. he was the superintendent at the german institute and joined the republican party. he attracted german immigrants to the republican party because of their strong anti-slavery sentiment.