Born in the village of Beli Mozhaiskogo district, Moscow province in the family of a former serf. He studied at the Moscow school of painting, sculpture and architecture (1874 — volunteer, 1880 — student) at Illarion Pryanishnikov, Vladimir Makovsky. In 1887 for the picture "a convalescent," received a large silver medal and the title of the class artist. Worked in Mozhaisk. Wrote mainly genre paintings in the best traditions of Russian realistic art. Participated in exhibitions since 1881 including was the Exhibitor of the Association of traveling art exhibitions.
Pavel Tretyakov highly appreciated the skill of the artist, by purchasing it directly from the workshop. Empress Alexandra Feodorovna bought a painting by I. L. Gorokhova for the Museum of the Imperial Academy of arts Grand Duke Konstantin Konstantinovich Romanov personally bought from the artist the painting "catching butterflies". The artist has created about six hundred works. Ivan Lavrent'evich stored in the branch of the Museum-reserve "Borodino field" — the Mozhaisk historical Museum, Pereslavl-Zalessky Museum of art, the memorial Museum-estate N.. Nekrasov "Karabikha" (near Yaroslavl), the State Tretyakov gallery. The main part of the heritage of the artist are in private collections, including abroad.