Charles P. Noell was born in Bedford County, Virginia, February 20, 1812.

He came to California in November 1848 and was a San Francisco merchant, but lost all in a fire in 1850.

He moved to San Diego in 1850 and built a store, the first wooden building in the city.

While councilman he tried to prevent looting of the city treasury, with limited success.

He was appointed president for the San Diego city board of trustees (informally called "mayor") during 1852, after the elected city government was abolished during bankruptcy.