Susan H. (Ayres) Houghton was the daughter of Socrates and Susan (Harris) Ayres. She was the 1st wife of Rev. Dr. Oscar Allen Houghton. They were married Wolcott, New York September 1, 1869. Rev. Dr. Houghton was a minister in the Central New York Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He died September 22, 1908.

Our County And Its People: a history of the valley and County of Chemung from the closing years of the eighteenth century, Pgs. 652-656
Part VI - Biographical
Socrates Ayres Family
He was married to Susan Harris at Penn Yan, New York May 30, 1841. She was the daughter of Seth Harris of Pine Plains, Dutchess Co., New York, who was the manufacturer of the famous Harris scythes.

Memoir
Methodist Episcopal Church
Central New York Conference Journal
1901, Page 105
HOUGHTON.--Few were surprised when in the morning of Sunday, Dec. 10th, Mrs. Susan Ayres Houghton, the wife of Rev. O. A. Houghton, D.D., of Cortland, departed from this life. Her long-fought battle with ill health had warned her many friends that death might be near. She herself from the first had recognized fatal possibilities , and of late had often spoken of the end as only a little in advance. Very few things connected with the services that followed were left to be determined. Most had been previously arranged by her own choice. She could not have anticipated how many would rise to speak tenderly of their appreciation, nor how many tokens of esteem would be contributed by loving friends. Though we were compelled to bury her amid the snow, she was surrounded by the flowers she loved as well. The officials of the local church in Cortland, the Cazenovia District, and the friends of her youth and college days in Elmira gave expressions to words of highest regard. Her life began July 7, 1843. Her childhood and youth were spent in Elmira, New York. She graduated from the Elmira Female College in 1863 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. She was married to Dr. Houghton Sept. 1, 1869. Her first home was Wolcott, New York. Subsequently Dr. Houghton has served Syracuse: First Ward, Geddes, Syracuse: Centenary, Ithaca: State Street, Clyde, Elmira: Hedding, Elmira: Centenary, Auburn: First Church, North Avenue Congregational Church of CAmbridge, Mass., and Cortland: First Church. In all these places Mrs. Houghton has rendered valuable assistance. She has frequently aided the people under her influence in the selection of a high grade of reading. She had little interest in imaginary heroes of the world, and the fields of their action. She was a faithful student of American and English Constitutional history, and by a resident post-graduate course in Syracuse University earned the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Some years ago she spent a season in study in Germany. Later she traveled extensively in European countries. Her travels were always prosecuted for the purpose of acquiring valuable knowledge. Her last excursion was in the western part of our own country and in Mexico. Two years ago, when her preparation for usefulness seemed quite complete, she was called to walk another path then the one she had chosen. Then commenced a career of heroism that merits the highest admiration. For nearly two years she has suffered from the illness that has now ended her earthly life. Medical skill could only temporarily relieve. Through the interchange of hope and fear, she has herself been aware of all the possibilities. With cheerful courage she looked toward life when it seemed returning, with silent submission toward death when she saw it sure to conquor. Her Christian faith and courage were shown in the Scripture text she chose as her support at the time of supreme peril, "Who so hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely and shall be quiet from fear of evil." In such secure quietness her life ceased. She rests in hope of the resurrection.
Written by Rev. Theron Cooper