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Sho Nemoto was a frequent houseguest of the Billings family during the 1880s and attended the University of Vermont with Fritz Billings from 1885 to 1889. Originally from Mito, Japan, Nemoto met Frederick Billings in California in 1879. Billings arranged for him to study at his alma mater and covered his tuition fees. While at university, Nemoto spent his summers and school vacations with the Billings family. After graduating, he embarked on a world tour, a gift from Frederick Billings. Upon returning to Japan, Nemoto entered politics and became involved in church work within the Christian community. He and the Billings family maintained a lasting friendship, and he later referred to Frederick Billings as “my dear father in America.”