On June 22, 1905, members of the Perkus family, Benzion Perkus and his son Moshe as well as a cousin, Simcha Mevoznisensom were drowned in the Blanche River when their canoe overturned. As these were the first deaths in the Jewish community, Simon Henerofsky donated land in Chamberlain Township for a Hebrew cemetery, which is officially known as The Northern Chevra Kadisha Cemetery.