ELIJAH HOUGHTON

The subject of this sketch was born in Harvard, Wooster county, Massachusetts, June 12, 1800, and in company with his parents emigrated to the town of Le Ray, in 1810. His father died two years later, and Elijah went to live with one of the older members of the family, remained two years, and then served as an apprentice to the tanner and currier trade till he was of age. In 1823 he purchased his first piece of land in Antwerp, but did not settle permanently upon it till 1826. On the 20^th of October, 1826, he married Miss Harriet Dopking, of Oneida county, New York. She was born April 16, 1805, and is the mother of ten children,--five sons and five daughters. Five sons and three daughters still live, each of whom is settled well in life. Mr. Houghton has a farm of two hundred acres, which he cleared himself. In 1830, Mr. Houghton lost his house and all its contents by fire, but kind neighbors aided him in provisions, etc., and soon he had another home. He has been a life-long Democrat. He is now old in years and rich in experience, and is an esteemed citizen of the town. One characteristic of his life would be well to follow, and that is, he never contracted a debt which he was not able to meet when due.

LAWRENCE WESTON

The subject of this sketch was born in Mason, Hillsborough county, New Hampshire, November 19, 1795. Early in life he was an apprentice in the tannery business, and continued to follow the same till he was twenty-eight. He married Miss Jane Humphrey, of Herkimer county, New York, July 21, 1822. She was born in Herkimer county, December 4, 1798. Seven children were born to them,--six sons and a daughter. One son--was drowned in New Orleans January 3, 1867, and one son—John—was a soldier in the Rebellion, and lost his life. In 1817, Mr. Weston emigrated to Le Ray township, Jefferson county, New York, then to Rutland, and in March, 1824, he settled in Antwerp on the farm now owned by his son, Clark, who is the generous donor of this sketch and view of place and portraits of parents. Mr. Weston was a Democrat in politics, and held the office of assessor for a period of fifteen years, and then was succeeded by his son, Clark, who held it for sixteen years. He was a good husband and father and an esteemed citizen. Mrs. Weston is still hale and hearty, and lives on the farm where Clark was born July 26, 1834. (Jefferson County History, L. H.  Everts, 1878)