The name Creble was originally spelled Kreble. The first settler in the town of New Scotland, Albany county, New York, of this family was the father of Francis Creble, mentioned below, whose name is unknown, who was a lessee of Van Rensselaer lands, which did not become "soil land" until after 1860; when it was purchased by Henry, son of Francis Creble, and now owned by Francis, son of Henry Creble. Where the family originated does not appear in the records examined. They were settlers in New Scotland prior to 1794, as Francis Creble was born there in that year. The family has been a leading one for several generations, and furnished a member of the state assembly in 1858, he having previously held important town offices. They have been mostly agriculturists of substantial means and men and women of education and refinement.
(I) Francis Creble was born on the original Creble estate at Feurabush, town of New Scotland, Albany county, New York, in 1794, died there 1848. The farm originally settled by his grandfather was still further improved by his father, who in 1819 (as marked on the side of the house at the time) built the present dwelling in which Francis was born. This house is yet in good condition after its one hundred years in the storm and stress of Helderberg weather. Francis Creble was a carpenter and cabinetmaker, and a maker of everything in wood that required tools and skill, tubs, churns, furniture and even coffins. He was also a prosperous farmer and left a good estate for his day. He was an active Democrat, and a worker in the Reformed church. He married, at Feurabush, Maria Ann Bush, born 1790, died 1880, a granddaughter of the early settler, Mr. Bush, a prominent man and land owner. They are all buried in the Jerusalem burying ground. Children:
- Henry, mentioned below.
- Francis (2), married Mary Ann, daughter of Garret Hotaling; she was born in Bethlehem, Albany county, of an old family; children: Garrett and Catherine.
- Elizabeth, married Richard Creble, and had two sons, Francis (3) and William, both deceased; the former married Ida Mead, and left Herbert and Harry; the latter married Margaret Van Atten and left Horace, Helen, deceased, Susan, deceased, Gertrude, Mildred and Ethel.
(II) Henry, eldest son of Francis and Mary Ann (Bush) Creble, was born on the Feurabush homestead in New Scotland, Albany county, New York, 1810, died there 1897. Most of his life was spent in the cultivation and improvement of his farm, and he passed it on to his heirs in a still higher state of cultivation. He was an active Democrat, and influential in the town. In 1859 he was elected to the state legislature, serving with credit. He was equally active in the church, belonging to the Dutch Reformed Congregation. He was a man of education and lived an honorable life, acquiring a substantial competence. He married, in the town of Bethlehem, Ann Eliza Houck, born in that town in 1812, died in 1895. She was a devout Christian, belonging to the same church as her husband, whose true helpmeet she was. Children:
- Mary, married David Allen, a farmer of the town of Bethlehem, who died past seventy-five years of age. She survives him, a resident of Bethlehem; children: Harry and John, the latter married Nellie Kimmey, and has a son Kenneth.
- Margaret, married James Van Allen, whom she survives, a resident of Delmar, New York; children:
- James, married Dora Hallenbeck, and has a son Stanley;
- Frank, married Mary Main, and has a daughter Hazel;
- Nellie, unmarried.
- Francis, see forward.
(III) Francis (2), only son and youngest child of Henry and Ann Eliza (Houck) Creble, was born on the old homestead where four generations of his race had preceded him, and in the house where his father was also born, July 1, 1844. He was educated in the town schools, and remained as his father's farm assistant until the death of the latter. He succeeded to the ownership of the farm of one hundred and thirty-five acres, which he cultivated personally until 1899, when he retired to a beautiful home in the village of Feurabush, which he erected in that year. Here he is living a quiet life and enjoying with his cultured family the comforts of a modern home. He has always been a worker, and his success in life has been fairly earned. He is a Democrat in politics, and a member of the Reformed church. Neither in religion or politics has he departed from the faith of his forbears. Active and earnest in purpose, his example and influence has been always for good. He married, in the town of New Scotland, Sarah, born February 27, 1850, daughter of David and Harriet (Simmons) Callanan, both born in the town, and members of the Methodist Episcopal church. David Callanan was a farmer. They were the parents of seven children, among whom were
- Sarah, aforementioned;
- John, unmarried, a resident of Albany;
- Elizabeth, unmarried, a resident of Albany;
- Bertha, married Professor William H. Squires, D.D., of Hamilton College; children: Ralph and Paul.
Francis and Sarah (Callanan) Creble have six living children:
- Ann May, born May 3, 1875; a graduate of Albany Normal College, class of 1898; a teacher prior to her marriage to Roy McMillan, who was killed in the disastrous explosion in the South Bethlehem quarries, May 12, 1909, no issue; she resides in A1bany.
- Harriet C., a graduate of Hamilton Academy, class of 1899; she completed her education abroad, studying in France and Germany; formerly a teacher of Latin and French in Albany high school; in 1909-10 a teacher of French and German in a school in Rome, New York; unmarried.
- Sarah, a graduate of State Normal College, class of 1902; married James Harris, son of John Albert Loucks; he is a graduate of Albany Law School, and a practicing attorney of Albany; child, Frances Elizabeth.
- Harry D., born August 1, 1884; educated in Albany, where he is engaged in the insurance business; unmarried.
- Bessie, born January 17, 1886; educated in Albany.
- Kenneth, born December 25, 1893, a student in Albany high school.