Charles was born on April 3rd, the son of Emil and Wilhelmina Von der Heiden Quandel. He spent his entire life involved in civic and community projects.

Mainly self-educated, leaving school at the age of ten to help his parents, he studied by a gas lamp at every convenience and went on to become a leader not only in the Minersville area but in organizations associated with the building trade.

He was a founding member and first President of the Minersville Rotary Club, President, and Director of the Minersville Safe Deposit Bank, and until his death in 1937, Fire Chief of the Rescue Hook and Ladder Fire Company. He was also active in the Middle Atlantic Lumberman’s Association and the Lumber and Builders Association of Schuylkill County.

In addition to the home building and general contracting business, a lumber supply yard was added. The venture prospered, and under his guidance, the next generation started to learn the trade from the bottom up. After his death in 1937, the business continued under the name of Charles Quandel Estate, with his two sons Noble C. and James W. at the helm.

The business flourished for thirty years, becoming one of the leading lumber and supply companies in the area while also continuing the construction division. In 1945, the concrete ready mix division was added.

In 1968, the brothers decided to diversify, creating two new companies: Noble C. Quandel, General Contractor (known today as The Quandel Group), and Quandel Concrete James W. Quandel & Sons. Both companies have continued to grow, working hand in hand, to this day.