Henry Godfutz Rabel was born near Hanover, Germany on August 2, 1826. His family came to America in 1845. In 1850 he started for California with his wife Elizabeth. When he reached Salt Lake City, UT late in the year he was advised not to cross the Sierras in the winter. In July 1852, he arrived in Placerville, California. He continued his journey in 1857 to San Bernardino where he purchased 40 acres of land, later he purchased another 80 acres. Rabel died on July 8, 1885 and is buried in the San Bernardino Pioneer Cemetery.
Photo courtesy of City of San Bernardino Historical and Pioneer Society