Canajoharie (town), New York
Encyclopedia
Canajoharie is a town in Montgomery County
, New York
, United States
. The population was 3,730 at the 2010 census. Canajoharie is located south of the Mohawk River
on the south border of the county. The Erie Canal
passes along the north town line. There is a village of Canajoharie
in the town. Both are west of Amsterdam
.
, a village of the Mohawk nation
. The Mohawk had as their territory most of the central area of present-day New York from the Hudson River west to where Oneida territory started. They also used the St. Lawrence River valley as hunting grounds after 1600. They dominated the fur trade
with French in central Quebec
and English in eastern New York after the Seven Years War.
Europeans began settling in the area around 1730. Because the Mohawk were allied with the British during the American Revolutionary War
, they were forced to cede most of their lands in New York after the United States victory. The land was sold to private owners. The modern town was formed in 1788, but was reduced to form the towns of Minden
(1798) and Root
(in part, 1823). The population of the town in 1865 was 4,248.
Beech-Nut
, the baby food producer, was founded in Canajoharie in 1891 and served as the largest employer in the town for more than a century. The Beech-Nut factory moved out of Canajoharie in March 2011 and relocated to a new factory in the nearby Town of Florida
, near Amsterdam, NY.
, the town has a total area of 43.1 square miles (111.6 km²), of which, 42.9 square miles (111.1 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square miles (0.5 km²) of it (0.46%) is water.
The south town line is the border of Schoharie County
and the north town line is defined by the Mohawk River
.
The New York State Thruway
crosses the northern part of the town, following the river. New York State Route 5S
parallels the Thruway. New York State Route 10
is a north-south highway, intersecting the Thruway and NY-5S at Canajoharie village.
of 2000, there were 3,797 people, 1,492 households, and 1,026 families residing in the town. The population density
was 88.5 people per square mile (34.2/km²). There were 1,637 housing units at an average density of 38.2 per square mile (14.7/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.02% White, 0.63% Black or African American
, 0.40% Native American, 0.50% Asian, 0.32% from other races
, and 1.13% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.13% of the population.
There were 1,492 households out of which 33.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.0% were married couples
living together, 11.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.2% were non-families. 26.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.00.
In the town the population was spread out with 26.3% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 25.8% from 25 to 44, 23.7% from 45 to 64, and 16.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 94.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.0 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $31,701, and the median income for a family was $39,646. Males had a median income of $29,107 versus $22,617 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $16,702. About 11.0% of families and 11.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.8% of those under age 18 and 3.3% of those age 65 or over.
Montgomery County, New York
As of the census of 2000, there were 49,708 people, 20,038 households, and 13,104 families residing in the county. The population density was 123 people per square mile . There were 22,522 housing units at an average density of 56 per square mile...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 3,730 at the 2010 census. Canajoharie is located south of the Mohawk River
Mohawk River
The Mohawk River is a river in the U.S. state of New York. It is the largest tributary of the Hudson River. The Mohawk flows into the Hudson in the Capital District, a few miles north of the city of Albany. The river is named for the Mohawk Nation of the Iroquois Confederacy...
on the south border of the county. The Erie Canal
Erie Canal
The Erie Canal is a waterway in New York that runs about from Albany, New York, on the Hudson River to Buffalo, New York, at Lake Erie, completing a navigable water route from the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes. The canal contains 36 locks and encompasses a total elevation differential of...
passes along the north town line. There is a village of Canajoharie
Canajoharie (village), New York
Canajoharie is a village in the town of Canajoharie in Montgomery County, New York, USA. As of the 2000 census, the village had a population of 2,257...
in the town. Both are west of Amsterdam
Amsterdam (city), New York
Amsterdam is a city located in Montgomery County, New York, USA. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 18,620. The name is derived from the city of Amsterdam in the Netherlands....
.
History
The town is near the former site of CanajoharieCanajoharie
Canajoharie was the name of a Mohawk village.It may also refer to:* Canajoharie , New York* Canajoharie , New York* Canajoharie Central School District* Canajoharie and Catskill Railroad...
, a village of the Mohawk nation
Mohawk nation
Mohawk are the most easterly tribe of the Iroquois confederation. They call themselves Kanien'gehaga, people of the place of the flint...
. The Mohawk had as their territory most of the central area of present-day New York from the Hudson River west to where Oneida territory started. They also used the St. Lawrence River valley as hunting grounds after 1600. They dominated the fur trade
Fur trade
The fur trade is a worldwide industry dealing in the acquisition and sale of animal fur. Since the establishment of world market for in the early modern period furs of boreal, polar and cold temperate mammalian animals have been the most valued...
with French in central Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
and English in eastern New York after the Seven Years War.
Europeans began settling in the area around 1730. Because the Mohawk were allied with the British during the American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
, they were forced to cede most of their lands in New York after the United States victory. The land was sold to private owners. The modern town was formed in 1788, but was reduced to form the towns of Minden
Minden, New York
Minden is a town in Montgomery County, New York, United States. The population was 4,297 at the 2010 census. The town is located at the western edge of the county. It has possessed a post office from 1802 to 1903.- History :...
(1798) and Root
Root, New York
Root is a town in Montgomery County, New York, United States. The population was 1,715 at the 2010 census.The Town of Root is in the south-central part of the county and is southwest of Amsterdam.The Erie Canal passes the north part of Root....
(in part, 1823). The population of the town in 1865 was 4,248.
Beech-Nut
Beech-Nut
Beech-Nut Nutrition Corporation is a baby food company that is currently owned by the Swiss branded consumer-goods firm Hero Group.- History :...
, the baby food producer, was founded in Canajoharie in 1891 and served as the largest employer in the town for more than a century. The Beech-Nut factory moved out of Canajoharie in March 2011 and relocated to a new factory in the nearby Town of Florida
Florida, Montgomery County, New York
Florida is a town south of the Mohawk River in Montgomery County, New York, United States. The population was 2,696 in the 2010 United States Census. The town was named after the state of Florida...
, near Amsterdam, NY.
Notable residents
- Susan B. AnthonySusan B. AnthonySusan Brownell Anthony was a prominent American civil rights leader who played a pivotal role in the 19th century women's rights movement to introduce women's suffrage into the United States. She was co-founder of the first Women's Temperance Movement with Elizabeth Cady Stanton as President...
, women's rightsWomen's rightsWomen's rights are entitlements and freedoms claimed for women and girls of all ages in many societies.In some places these rights are institutionalized or supported by law, local custom, and behaviour, whereas in others they may be ignored or suppressed...
pioneer, taught school here. - Joseph BrantJoseph BrantThayendanegea or Joseph Brant was a Mohawk military and political leader, based in present-day New York, who was closely associated with Great Britain during and after the American Revolution. He was perhaps the most well-known American Indian of his generation...
(1743–1807), MohawkMohawk nationMohawk are the most easterly tribe of the Iroquois confederation. They call themselves Kanien'gehaga, people of the place of the flint...
chief. - Molly Brant (1736–1796), MohawkMohawk nationMohawk are the most easterly tribe of the Iroquois confederation. They call themselves Kanien'gehaga, people of the place of the flint...
leader. - Samuel Clyde (1732–1790), patriot leader for Tryon County during the American Revolution. He served as Lieutenant Colonel of the Canajoharie Militia Regiment, and fought at the Battle of Oriskany.
- Alfred ConklingAlfred ConklingAlfred Conkling was a lawyer, statesman and United States federal judge from New York.-Early life, education, and career:...
, was a lawyer, statesman, and jurist. - Frederick Conkling, son of Alfred ConklingAlfred ConklingAlfred Conkling was a lawyer, statesman and United States federal judge from New York.-Early life, education, and career:...
and brother of Roscoe ConklingRoscoe ConklingRoscoe Conkling was a politician from New York who served both as a member of the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate. He was the leader of the Stalwart faction of the Republican Party and the last person to refuse a U.S. Supreme Court appointment after he had...
. He became a US Representative for the state of New York. - Josiah FailingJosiah FailingJosiah Failing was a businessman and the fourth mayor of Portland, Oregon, United States. Born in New York, he moved to Portland when it was still a small town of a few hundred...
, 4th mayor of Portland, OregonPortland, OregonPortland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
. He gained much of his wealth, as an entrepreneur through general merchandise. - Bernhard GillamBernhard GillamBernhard Gillam , was an English-born American political cartoonist....
, a political cartoonistCartoonistA cartoonist is a person who specializes in drawing cartoons. This work is usually humorous, mainly created for entertainment, political commentary or advertising...
. He died of typhoid in Canajoharie, New York. - Myron GrimshawMyron GrimshawMyron Frederick "Moose" Grimshaw was a right fielder in Major League Baseball who played from through for the Boston Americans. Listed at 6' 1", 173 lb., Grimshaw was a switch-hitter and threw right-handed. He was born in St...
, major league baseballMajor League BaseballMajor League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
playerPlayer (game)A player of a game is a participant therein. The term 'player' is used with this same meaning both in game theory and in ordinary recreational games....
. A right fielderRight fielderA right fielder, abbreviated RF, is the outfielder in baseball or softball who plays defense in right field. Right field is the area of the outfield to the right of a person standing at home plate and facing towards the pitcher's mound...
for the Boston Red SoxBoston Red SoxThe Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
for three seasons, 1905-1907. - Jacob KlockJacob Klock (colonel)Colonel Jacob Klock was the colonel of the 2nd regiment of the Tryon County militia during the American Revolutionary War.He was the son of George Klock and Margaret Catherine Walrath. George Klock was a farmer and trader who kept a disreputable store and tavern next to the Mohawk village of...
, was the colonelColonelColonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
of the 2nd regiment of the Tryon County militia during the American Revolutionary WarAmerican Revolutionary WarThe American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
. - Charles McVeanCharles McVeanCharles McVean was a U.S. Representative from New York.Born near Johnstown, New York, McVean pursued an academic course. He studied law, was admitted to the bar and commenced practice in Johnstown. He was editor of a newspaper in Canajoharie 1827-1831.McVean was elected as a Jacksonian to the...
, US Representative for the state of New YorkNew YorkNew York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. While in Canajoharie, he was the editor of the towns newspaper. - Ots-TochOts-TochOts-Toch is the traditional name given to a 17th century Mohawk woman from Canajoharie who married Dutch trader Cornelius Anthonisse Van Slyck and founded the Van Slyck family in New Netherland....
17th century MohawkMohawk nationMohawk are the most easterly tribe of the Iroquois confederation. They call themselves Kanien'gehaga, people of the place of the flint...
woman from Canajoharie who married Dutch trader Cornelius Anthonisse Van Slyck founding the Van Slyck family in New NetherlandNew NetherlandNew Netherland, or Nieuw-Nederland in Dutch, was the 17th-century colonial province of the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands on the East Coast of North America. The claimed territories were the lands from the Delmarva Peninsula to extreme southwestern Cape Cod...
. - Edwin M. RandallEdwin M. RandallEdwin M. Randall was a Florida lawyer and Republican politician who served as Chief Justice of the Florida Supreme Court from January 1869 to January 7, 1885. He was born April 5, 1822. He died July 12, 1895....
, Chief JusticeChief JusticeThe Chief Justice in many countries is the name for the presiding member of a Supreme Court in Commonwealth or other countries with an Anglo-Saxon justice system based on English common law, such as the Supreme Court of Canada, the Constitutional Court of South Africa, the Court of Final Appeal of...
for the state of FloridaFloridaFlorida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
. - Thomas JamesThomas JamesThomas James was an English librarian, first librarian of the Bodleian Library, Oxford.James became a fellow of New College, Oxford in 1593...
, a former slave of Asa Kimball who became a minister in upstate New YorkNew YorkNew York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. - Hendrick Theyanoguin (1692–1755), MohawkMohawk nationMohawk are the most easterly tribe of the Iroquois confederation. They call themselves Kanien'gehaga, people of the place of the flint...
leader. - Benjamin F. VanAlstyneBenjamin F. VanAlstyneBenjamin F. VanAlstyne was an American basketball coach.The Canajoharie, New York native played college basketball, baseball and football at Colgate University, graduating in 1917. Following military service and a year of high school coaching in North Carolina, he became head coach of basketball...
, was head coachHead coachA head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches...
of Michigan State UniversityMichigan State UniversityMichigan State University is a public research university in East Lansing, Michigan, USA. Founded in 1855, it was the pioneer land-grant institution and served as a model for future land-grant colleges in the United States under the 1862 Morrill Act.MSU pioneered the studies of packaging,...
basketball team from (1927–1949). - Rebecca WintersRebecca Winters (pioneer)Rebecca Burdick Winters was a Mormon pioneer who with her family left the eastern United States to emigrate to Utah with other Latter-day Saints. In August 1852, en route to Utah, she died of cholera near present day Scottsbluff, Nebraska...
, MormonMormonThe term Mormon most commonly denotes an adherent, practitioner, follower, or constituent of Mormonism, which is the largest branch of the Latter Day Saint movement in restorationist Christianity...
pioneer.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the town has a total area of 43.1 square miles (111.6 km²), of which, 42.9 square miles (111.1 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square miles (0.5 km²) of it (0.46%) is water.
The south town line is the border of Schoharie County
Schoharie County, New York
As of the census of 2000, there were 31,582 people, 11,991 households and 8,177 families residing in the county. The population density was 51 people per square mile . There were 15,915 housing units at an average density of 26 per square mile...
and the north town line is defined by the Mohawk River
Mohawk River
The Mohawk River is a river in the U.S. state of New York. It is the largest tributary of the Hudson River. The Mohawk flows into the Hudson in the Capital District, a few miles north of the city of Albany. The river is named for the Mohawk Nation of the Iroquois Confederacy...
.
The New York State Thruway
New York State Thruway
The New York State Thruway is a system of limited-access highways located within the state of New York in the United States. The system, known officially as the Governor Thomas E. Dewey Thruway for former New York Governor Thomas E. Dewey, is operated by the New York State Thruway Authority and...
crosses the northern part of the town, following the river. New York State Route 5S
New York State Route 5S
New York State Route 5S is an east–west state highway located in the Mohawk Valley of New York in the United States. It extends for from an interchange with NY 5, NY 5A, NY 8, and NY 12 in Utica to a smaller interchange with NY 890 in Rotterdam...
parallels the Thruway. New York State Route 10
New York State Route 10
New York State Route 10 is a north–south state highway in the Central New York and North Country regions of New York in the United States. It extends for from the Quickway in Deposit, Delaware County to NY 8 at Higgins Bay, a hamlet in the Hamilton County town of Arietta...
is a north-south highway, intersecting the Thruway and NY-5S at Canajoharie village.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 3,797 people, 1,492 households, and 1,026 families residing in the town. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 88.5 people per square mile (34.2/km²). There were 1,637 housing units at an average density of 38.2 per square mile (14.7/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.02% White, 0.63% Black or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.40% Native American, 0.50% Asian, 0.32% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.13% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.13% of the population.
There were 1,492 households out of which 33.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.0% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 11.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.2% were non-families. 26.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.00.
In the town the population was spread out with 26.3% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 25.8% from 25 to 44, 23.7% from 45 to 64, and 16.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 94.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.0 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $31,701, and the median income for a family was $39,646. Males had a median income of $29,107 versus $22,617 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the town was $16,702. About 11.0% of families and 11.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.8% of those under age 18 and 3.3% of those age 65 or over.
Communities and locations in the town
- AmesAmes, New YorkAmes is a village in Montgomery County, New York, United States. The population was 173 at the 2000 census.The Village of Ames is in the south-central part of the Town of Canajoharie and is south of the Village of Canajoharie....
– A village in the south part of the town on NY-10. - Bowmans Creek – A stream in the south part of the town.
- Budd Hill – A location at the south town line, south of Ames.
- Buel – A hamlet in the southwest part of the town on Bowmans Creek. The community and much of the south part of Canajoharie were once called Bowmans Creek after early settler Jacob Bowman.
- CanajoharieCanajoharie (village), New YorkCanajoharie is a village in the town of Canajoharie in Montgomery County, New York, USA. As of the 2000 census, the village had a population of 2,257...
– A village in the north part of the town on the Mohawk River and NY-10. - Canajoharie Creek – A stream in the south central part of the town.
- Fort PlainFort Plain, New YorkFort Plain is a village in Montgomery County, New York, United States. As of the 2000 census, the village population was 2,288. The village is named after a fort built during the American Revolution....
– A village that is partly in the town at the western town line. - Maple Hill – A location east of Marshville.
- Mapleton – A location near the east town line, named after local trees.
- Marshville – A hamlet south of Canajoharie village on NY-10.
- Sprout Brook – A hamlet in the southwest part of the town on Bowmans Creek.
- Van Deusenville – A hamlet near the town line in the southwest part of the town.
- Waterville – A hamlet northeast of Ames.