Ivan Petrovich Goroshkin was born in the village of Treskino, Luninsky district, Penza region, Russia. After graduating from a decade in 1939 he entered the Penza State Pedagogical University, Faculty of History. When he finished the second year, the war broke out. He was called to the front in September 1941. He took part in the Battle of Moscow, fought on the Belarusian and Ukrainian fronts. Wounded (shrapnel wound in his right hand). He received awards: Order of the Patriotic War, Medal for the Battle of Moscow, Medal of Courage and others. After the end of the war, he married and continued his studies at PSPU. He taught history, labour and mathematics at rural schools.