Samuel Hochter

Samuel Hochter was born on December 6, 1811, on Hochter farm in the district of Vöhren. As the first child, he was destined to inherit the farm from his father, but there was not much to inherit. The Hochters lived in extreme poverty and there was no money available for their basic needs, let alone for schooling. As soon as Samuel was able, he had to work, first on their own farm and later on other farms to earn a little extra so the family could eat. They survived mainly from their own produce and support from the Jewish community they were part of. At the age of 19, Samuel inherited the struggling farm from his father. It is located at a crossroads between the Kild and Holle rivers, which was a perfect location in the past due to the fertile soil and consistent water supply. However, due to deforestation and over-farming, the soil quality decreased, and the area became more prone to flooding. Additionally, the natural flow of the meandering rivers changed over time, resulting in the farm losing almost 30% of its land. Samuel was not compensated, nor did he get the land back on the other side of the river.   On the evening of December 12, 1839, a fire broke out in the stable. The fire quickly spread to the nearby house and annex. When the flames were spotted, neighbouring farms rushed to the site to help extinguish the fire. It took several hours to put the fire out, but unfortunately, the entire farm was destroyed. By some miracle, the family was not home, and the cattle were able to escape to the surrounding fields. However, for the already struggling Hochters, this was devastating. They did not have the funds to rebuild their house. A fund was started to collect money for the family, but since the Jews were still not accepted by the people, there was not much collected. The Jewish community rushed in to help the Hochters, and they rebuilt the farm themselves, using pine wood from the area. To save on costs, the house and stables were combined into one building. Also, the new farm was placed further away from the river and built on a slight slope to prevent future flooding.   The Silbers family helped the Hochters by rebuilding their house and collecting goods for them. During this time, Samuel Hochter met Elsbeth Silbers and, over time, fell in love with her. However, he was initially hesitant to express his feelings. It wasn't until a few years later that he discovered his feelings were mutual, and they began a romantic relationship. On March 5, 1841, they got married. The union proved to be beneficial for both families as Samuel had a farm where he raised and traded cattle, and Elsbeth's father and brother could use the meat and produce for their butchery, providing financial relief to both families.   On January 16, 1841, they welcomed their first child, Herman Hochter, and three years later, their second son, Mozes. Although Herman's birth initially went smoothly, it became apparent that the baby was breech. Two doctors tried to save the child, but he died shortly after he was born. Samuel's wife, Elsbeth, fell into a deep depression and became extra protective of her family. Samuel tried everything to cheer her up. The family went through a dark period once again. On January 4, 1853, their third son, David, was born. Although the family feared he would also die, the boy proved to be healthy. His birth brought a more stable period for the family. When Lotte was born on December 18, 1864, the family was complete. With Herman and David working elsewhere, the family managed to save some money, which was used to construct a new stable for their cattle, providing the family with more space in their house.   Samuel's distinctive features include green-blue eyes and thick, curly black-grey hair. His skin has tanned from working in the sun every day, but he maintains a calm, almost melancholic expression on his expressive face. At over 2 meters tall, Samuel is one of the largest and most sturdy men in the surrounding area, contrasting with his gentle and kind demeanour.      

Residence

The Hochter farm is a small cattle farm located in the Denron neighbourhood of the Vöhren district. It is situated near the crossroads of the Kild River and the Holle River. The property is owned by the Hochter family, who primarily engage in raising and trading cattle. They either keep the cattle on their land or buy from local farmers, then sell the cattle or the produce to others. Their primary trading partner is Silbers butchery, a kosher butcher in the city of Lutheria, which is affiliated with the Hochter-Silbers family.
 

by Zev Chafer (original art)

 

Shares

A share grants the owner the right to utilize a portion of the common lands that are collectively owned by the people in the area. Depending on the number of shares owned, individuals can utilize a certain percentage of the land for activities such as grazing, woodcutting, or peat extraction. Shares are typically associated with a specific building and can be passed down to the eldest child of the current owner or exchanged with others through trading.

Name

Share(s)

Common land (%)

Owner

 

AMT ALDÁER

The District of Vöhren

Neighbourhood of Denron

 

Rhodon

3

41% | Denron

Alexander Mervell

 

Brandwyn

1

14% | Denron

Alexander Mervell

 

Lutz

1

14% | Denron

Bernardus Lutz

 

Lympha

1

14% | Denron

Diana Linde

 

Unknown

1

14% | Denron

Unknown

 

Hochter

0,25

3% | Denron

Samuel Hochter

 

 

Neighbourhood of Walden

 

Grenn forest

4

80% | Walden

Sjoerd Walda

 

Black Poplar

1

20% | Walden

Sjoerd Walda

 

 

See full register | More information

 

Family

by Zev Chafer (original art)

Hochter

The Hochter family is one of the few Jewish families living in the area. Their ancestors hailed from East Germany and Poland, and they migrated to Kilden in search of a better life. For many generations now, the Hochter family has been residing in the region, with most of them working as farmers or butchers. Most notably, the Hochter farm is known for raising cattle for meat production, which is primarily sold through local butchers in the area. Despite the fact that they still face prejudice and hatred from locals of other religions, the situation is slowly improving, and people are becoming more respectful towards other faiths.

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Personality

Below, you can find a profile type and description of the personality. It gives a general overview of the dominant traits, strengths and weaknesses. Please keep in mind that it is a general picture that is presented through a more scientific approach.

The Sustainer is a practical and sometimes conservative person who quietly supports others. They work hard, often staying in the background, but they ensure their loved ones have what they need. During tough times, they push through, even if it means sacrificing their own needs.

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Pragmatic

Pragmatic: Pragmatic individuals prioritize practical, realistic approaches, focusing on efficiency and short-term feasibility, but may lack a broader vision or be resistant to change.

Strengths: Practicality, Reliability, Result-oriented
Weaknesses: Lack of vision, Rigidity, Short-term focus

 

Conservative

Conservative: A conservative person tends to prioritize tradition, stability, and the preservation of established norms and values. They are cautious about change and often emphasize the importance of individual responsibility. They are stable and cautious individuals but can be inclined to exclude others, stagnate, and resist change.

Strengths: Stability, Cautious, Respect for tradition
Weaknesses: Resistance to change, Potential for Exclusion, Stagnation

 

Altruistic

Altruistic: An altruistic person is motivated to help others and often puts their needs above their own. They are often selfless, empathetic, and have a strong moral compass. However, they can neglect themselves in the process, be vulnerable to exploitation, or have a martyr-like attitude.

Strengths: Selflessness, Empathy, Moral compass
Weaknesses: Self-neglect, Vulnerable to Exploitation, Potential Martyrdom

 

Solitary

Solitary: A solitary person prefers spending time alone or in quiet environments. They are comfortable with solitude, which gives them time for reflection, creativity, and deep concentration. They are independent, reflective, and creative. However, they can isolate themselves, lack social skills, or be misunderstood.

Strengths: Reflective, Independent, Creative
Weaknesses: Isolation, Lack of social skills, Misunderstood

 

Realistic

Realistic: An individual with a realistic approach to situations focuses on both the positive and negative aspects, making decisions based on objective analysis rather than hopeful or pessimistic expectations. This enables them to accurately assess situations, be prepared, and maintain a balanced perspective. However, they may have a tendency to be pessimistic, too cautious, or lack enthusiasm.

Strengths: Accurate assessment, Prepared, Balanced
Weaknesses: Pessimism, Too cautious, Lack of enthusiasm