Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-10-24
GONE FROM EARTH.
Mr.. WILLIAM s. GosHORE, OSBO7 wREELINGS
BEST KNOWN CITIZENS, PASSES AwAY.
Skstch Of Bis Liis-Hs Successful Business Career
and Bis Connection With Municipal Affairs.
An Evsntful Life.

and one who was long lQentlHeu Win
the commercial progress OF the city,
died yesterday morning at 9:25 at his
home on North Main street, at the ad-
vanced age Of rs years.
Mr.. Goshorn has been gradually fall
ing since the first of last January, prior
to which time he was in apparently
good health, being remarkably active
for man of his years. He transacted
considerable private business daily even
in his later years, and in his walks
about town seldom used cane. Dur
ing the past six weeks, however, he has
been confined to his room, where In
spite OF constant medical attention, ne
sank rapidly until relieved by death.
The cause of his death was stomach
trouble.
William s. Goshorn came OF
German parentage, both OF MS
grandparents being born in Germany,
the subject of this sketch first seeing
the light Of day on McMahon's Creek
in Belmont county. He was born Janu-
airy IA, 1914. He was a son or John
Goshorn, who was born near the mouth
OF the Juniata river, November %, 1890,
and who removed TO Belmont county In
1910, where he farmed a quarter section
OF land until 1915, at the end OF that
period removing TO this city. Here ne
was successful merchant until 1874,
when he removed to farm four miles
east of the city, dying there June II,
1869.
The subject OF this sketch re-
ceived common school educa-
ton in wheeling being under the skill
ful guidance of Ezekial Hildreth who
taught school for number OF years
where Stiles calico works now stand,
on North Main street. One
of his well remembered classmates
was Daniel Lamb. He completed
his education at Washington College.
After graduation he entered mercantile
pursuits with his father, who was one
of the most enterprising and able mer-
chants the city ever produced. The
business was dry goods and notions and
they did big jobbing trade IN Eastern
Ohio and this immediate vicinity, the
style of the firm being at first John Cos
horn & Co., then Goshorn q Kelley, the
last named being General b. f. Kelley,
lately deceased, brother-in-law OF Mr..
Goshorn; and later still, Mr.. Kelley re-
firing, the firm became Goshorn IL Son,
deceased being member. His dealings
soon showed that he had natural
adaptiblity for trade, and he early dis
played an almost intuitiVe knowledge
of business. He was man Of good
Judgment, an acceptipnal account
ant, and shrewd tinancier.
With his usual foresight he
averted the great panic OF 1910 by
retiring from business just before the
break, he and his son both disposing of
their store to other parties. Since the
discontinuance Of the business, In 1874,
Mr.. Goshorn engaged in no regular
business, yet he was interested in many
enterprises, being at one time
member of the Board Of Directors OF
the Fire and Marine Insurance Com
pany, and also a director in the Mer-
chants National Bank, predecessor OF
the Merchants Exchange Bank.
The most OF the time since his retire
ment from active business has been de-
voted to his private affairs, his proper
ty interests alone representing great
value. Deceased took q great
interest," in municipal affairs, and
was several times member of the City
Council, where he was active and con-
scientiouS in the discharge OF his public
duties.
While he was earnestly in sympathy
with public affairs and the progress OF
the city, he never clamored for office,
only holding positions at times when he
honestly thought he could be of service
to the people. The first public Office he
ever held was during the fifties. when
ne acted as chief deputy sheriff under
Smith Wickham. In 1868 he was elect
ed City Assessor, under the administra-
ton of DR.. George Baird, and made one
of the most satisfactory assessments
ever made In the city Of Wheeling.
At the time the deceased was a mem
Der Of Council the city was in financial
straits, being fully million and a quar-
ter in debt. 1t was at time when the
city was burdened by railroad and ther
Indebtedness, and the city required men
of level heads ct its helm, men who could
successfully cope with the financial sit
uation. He served with such men as u.
Jacobs, j. w. Paxton, Jos. II. Pendle-
ton, and others.
In 1850 Mr.. Goshorn went to Mime
sofa where he remained for two sea-
sons engaged in the ginsing trade with
the Indians, which proved very protita
BILE. He made very large amount of
money on this material, some of which
he shipped to China. During his So
journ in the northwest he was near the
scene Of that memorable Sioux massa-
ere.
In some respects the career Of the de-
ceased has been eventful. The readers
Of the REGISTER will readily recall his
memorable experience in Cleveland on
the occasion of the escape OF his female
slave, and what great excitement the
attempt at capture occasioned. The
name of the slave is Lucinda Johnson,
and she is now living in Cleveland,
where she is working in a hotel. Yes
terday morning Attorney General Cald-
well sent q telegram informing her of
her former masters death.
In the earlier stages of the city Mr..
Goshorn took an active interest in the fire
department, being member Of the old
volunteer company, flags, his helmet
and other things connected with the de-
dartment now being among his personal
effects. He was also interested in mill
tary affairs, aud was orderly sergeant
of the old Wheeling Blues, the same
company with which James s. Wheat
and Major Alonzo Loring were identi-
fed.
Up to the time OF the war in politics
he was Wing, but he subsequently, be-
came most stanch and consistent
Democrat, always true and loyal TO the
principles Of the party. In all his bust