A native of Indiana, born in Monroe county on the 4th of October, 1818. His parents were Louis and Sallie (McCammon) Noel, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of North Carolina. When a youth of six years Cole Noel accompanied his parents on their removal to Rockville, Indiana, where he lived until May, 1852, when he went to Des Moines, Iowa, and in December, 1853, he located in Adel, where he resided for more than a half century. Mr. Noel had been a resident of the county for less than three years when, in 1856, he was elected clerk of the courts, acting in that capacity for more than ten years. In 1863 he was appointed assessor of internal revenue by President Lincoln, serving until 1869. He was elected a member of the thirteenth general assembly, which body made the appropriation for building the present state capitol. Under the administration of President Harrison he was state statistician and at all times his patriotism and his fidelity to the general good were manifested. He was elected justice of the peace in 1872 and held that position almost continuously from that time until his death. For many years he was very active and prominent in political circles, becoming an ardent republican upon the organization of the party and recognized in this section of Iowa as one of its leaders. On the 30th of May, 1858, in Adel, was celebrated the marriage of Cole Noel and Miss Elizabeth Cole, who was born in Decatur, Illinois, August 14, 1829, her parents being John and Susan (Duke) Cole. Mr. Noel was made a Mason in Rockville, Indiana in 1850, and in 1852 joined Pioneer lodge, No. 8, A. F. & A. M., at Des Moines, Iowa. He was a charter member and the first secretary of Adel lodge, No. 80, and afterward served as its worthy master. He received the chapter degrees in Des Moines in 1858 and became a charter member of Tyrian chapter, No. 37, R. A. M., at Adel, serving as the chief officer of the organization for eight years. He was also for one year grand scribe of the grand chapter of Iowa. He was made a Sir Knight in Des Moines in 1865 and he became a charter member of Lady Washington chapter, No. 57, O. E. S., of Adel, in which he served for three years as worthy patron. Mr. Noel united with the Baptist church in 1844 and after the disbandment of the society at this place he became a member of the Christian Church.