He came to Bradford, England in the middle of the 19th century and soon built up one of the most important textile export houses in the town.His expertise was not only running a successful textile export business but also as a leading light in Bradford's municipal affairs, charities and education.Semon was an active member of the Bradford Chamber of Commerce from its foundation and was Vice President in 1871.Semon was the first foreign as well as the first Jewish Mayor of Bradford, elected in 1864, he served until John Venimore Godwin took over the following year.Charles Semon, a major philanthropist, paid for and built a convalescent home in Ilkley on the Yorkshire Moors in 1874.
