Born in Perryville, Missouri, Noell attended the public schools.

He studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1858 and commenced practice in Perryville, Missouri, the same year.

During the Civil War Noell was appointed a military commissioner in 1861.

He was appointed captain unassigned in Company C, Nineteenth Infantry, United States Army, and served from April 1, 1862, until his resignation on February 20, 1865, to take his seat in the House of Representatives.

He was reelected as a Democrat to the Fortieth Congress and served from March 4, 1865, until his death in St. Louis, Missouri, on October 3, 1867.