Rav Menachem Nachum Kaplan (Nachumke) was born in Horodna, Lithuania. When he was nine years old, he lived in the home of Rav Yehuda Leib Ganker and learned with this wealthy man every morning. Later, he wandered through Lithuania until he came to Amshina, where he studied under Rav Avrohom Kahane. Eventually, he was accepted to the Mirrer Yeshiva and became close to its Mashgiach, Rav Yisrael Heller. He married the daughter of a wealthy man, but after a number of years, his father-in-law died. Poverty-stricken, Rav Nachumke took a job as a shamash in the Chevras Shas Bais Medrash in Horodna. However, his fame spread, and many throughout Eastern Europe came to observe him and learn from him. Among those was the Chofetz Chaim, then only fifteen years old.
