Aloysius Rothfeld was born on June 7, 1837 in Austria to Georgius Rothfeld and Mariëtte Bruére. His birth brought great joy, especially to his father who longed for a son.

Aloysius' father Georgius was a major general in the Austrian army, while his mother worked as a nurse in the field hospitals and for various charities. Georgius insisted that his son follow in his footsteps and join the army, but Aloysius had a strong interest in medicine and wanted to become a doctor. His mother supported his dreams, but Georgius became increasingly hostile and abusive towards his son. Eventually, Aloysius gave in to his father's demands and joined the army. However, he found it difficult to adapt to the army life and never felt like he fit in.

During Aloysius' time in the military, Georgius' abusive behaviour towards his mother worsened day by day. Eventually, in 1859, she decided to flee the estate. To help his mother escape her abusive husband, Aloysius used all his savings to buy a house for her in Lutheria, which was far away from her husband. He promised to move in with her as soon as he finished his military service.

On New Years Eve, January 1st, 1860, Georgius committed suïcide by hanging. Shortly before, he disinherited Aloysius and left his estate and his savings to his direct family. Also, he prepared a letter stating his son and wife were not welcome at the funeral. Unlike the custom of being buried, Georgius wished to be cremated, and his ashes spread out in an unknown location so nobody could find him again. According to local rumours, the site is somewhere on the battlefield where he was wounded and lost most of his comrades.

After completing his initial military service in 1862, Aloysius was given the choice to retire from the military, which he promptly did. Keeping his promise, he moved in with his mother in the house he had purchased for her in Lutheria.