A large share of the first settlers being natives of Canisteo, New York caused the name to be selected.

[3] According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 35.9 square miles (93 km2), all land.

As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 662 people, 225 households, and 191 families residing in the township.

There were 229 housing units at an average density of 6.4 per square mile (2.5/km2).

12.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.