Biography as described by Ohio History Central:

"Alfred Traber Goshorn was a business and civic leader from Cincinnati Ohio who became well known as a planner of industrial expositions. He was born on July 15, 1833, in Cincinnati, Ohio. Goshorn graduated from Marietta College in 1854. He then enrolled in the Cincinnati Law School and graduated from that institution in 1857. At the beginning of the American Civil War, Goshorn enlisted in the Union Army and rose to the rank of major in the 137th Ohio Volunteer Infantry.

Following the Civil War, Goshorn became the owner of a paint company in Cincinnati. He also became involved in politics, serving as the president of the Cincinnati City Council for two terms. Goshorn contributed to Cincinnati in other ways. He was a major benefactor and the first director of the Cincinnati Museum of Art. He served as the first president of the Cincinnati Base Ball Club, which was a predecessor of the Cincinnati Reds. In 1871, Marietta College selected Goshorn as a trustee.

Goshorn is most remembered for organizing several industrial expositions in Cincinnati. The Cincinnati Industrial Expositions were held in Cincinnati between 1870 and 1888. Goshorn created the expositions to showcase the products of Cincinnati business owners. Over time, the expositions included displays from businesses across the Midwest and the rest of the United States. Artists displayed their works; musicians performed; and inventors and other businessmen displayed their wares. The Cincinnati Industrial Expositions presented Cincinnati's important contributions to culture and technology during the late 1800s.

Goshorn became well known for the expositions. From 1873 to 1876, Goshorn served as Ohio's delegate to the International Centennial Exposition of the United States of America. This event was held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1876 to celebrate one hundred years of American independence. Other delegates elected Goshorn to serve as the director-general of the International Centennial Exposition. Because of this exposition's success, Queen Victoria of Great Britain knighted Goshorn.

Goshorn died in 1902."

NACO Variants

Goshorn, Alfred Traber, 1833-1902

NACO URI(s)

http://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/no2008135969

Found in 5 Collections and/or Records: