After going to Dudley Grammar School, of which he afterwards became a Trustee, Houghton was then educated at St Bartholomew's Hospital under Sir William Lawrence and Dr Rigby. He settled in practice at Dudley in partnership as Houghton & Messiter. He was active in founding the Dudley Dispensary, to which for many years he acted as Surgeon, also, from its foundation, to the Guest Hospital in 1871. He also served as Medical Officer of Health, Public Vaccinator, and Surgeon to the London and North-Western Railway. He died at Priory Villa, Dudley, on March 12th, 1879.