DAGUERRE, JEAN PIERRE AND MARIE EUGENIA -- The beautiful family life of France perhaps find its fullest expression in that picturesque mountain district, known as the Basses-Pyrenees, and in this wonderful, healthful climate the children are reared with exceptional care, and especially is the highest standard of morals established, and thus the honor of the family altar is kept sacred. Here in this corner of Sunny France, not far from the border of Spain, was the birthplace of Mrs. Marie Eugenia Daguerre, the owner of a third interest in the great Moulton ranch at El Toro. Born at St. Pierre de Yrube, near the famous old fortified city of Bayonne, Mrs. Daguerre before her marriage was Maria Eugenia Duguet, her parents being Baptista and Elizabeth (Urisburu) Duguet, who were farmers for many years in that part of France. The fourth of a family of six children, Mrs. Daguerre is the only one living and the only one to come to America. She was educated in the convent at St. Pierre de Yrube, and in 1874 sailed from Havre with the Amestoy family, landing at New York. They continued on to San Francisco and then to San Pedro by boat, reaching Los Angeles, June 24, 1874, and located on a large ranch at Rosecranz, now Gardena. Here Mrs. Daguerre continued to make her home with the Amestoys until her marriage, at the Amestoy residence, to Jean Pierre Daguerre on October 7, 1886.
Mr. Daguerre was also a native of Basses-Pyrenees, Hasparren having been his birthplace, and he came over on the same boat as Mrs. Daguerre, being eighteen years of age at the time. Here he was employed with the Amestoys in the care of their stock, so became thoroughly experienced in this work, continuing with them for eight years, when he resigned to begin stock raising on his own account. Making his way to San Juan Capistrano he formed a partnership with Don Marco Forster as sheep growers. After his marriage Mr. Daguerre and his wife went to El Toro, where he continued actively in the sheep business for several years. After dissolving partnership with Don Marco Forster, Mr. Daguerre formed a partnership with Mr. Lewis F. Moulton on his extensive ranch of 22,000 acres, the business being conducted under the name of Lewis F. Moulton and Company. The partners met with phenomenal success, and after the death of Mr. Daguerre on May 5, 1911, Mrs. Daguerre, who had been a true helpmate in sharing the business responsibilities of her husband, continued in the partnership, and still owns a third interest in the ranch. The Moulton ranch is one of the largest and most profitable in Southern California, and upwards of fifteen tenants are engaged in raising beans, grain and hay on its extensive acreage. In addition the Moulton Company is engaged in raising beef cattle on an immense scale, their herd of high-grade Durhams being one of the finest in the county.
Mr. and Mrs. Daguerre were blessed with six children, the two younger of whom passed away in infancy. Domingo Joseph, who after the death of his father assisted Mr. Moulton and took an active part in the affairs of the company, was a well liked and popular young man displaying splendid traits of character and much ability, when his promising career was cut short by influenza, January 11, 1919, at the age of thirty-one; the three daughters are Juanita, Grace and Josephine.
Mrs. Daguerre resides in her comfortable residence on the Moulton ranch with her three loving daughters, who shower on her their affectionate care and devotion, and assist her in the management of the large interests left by her husband, thus doing all they can to shield her from unnecessary worry and care. While far from her native land, Mrs. Daguerre has never had cause to regret her choice in establishing a home in this beautiful Southland, whose resources rival that of any other country. The family take an active part in civic matters and are strong protectionists and Republicans. They are liberal and enterprising and give their aid to all matters that have for their aim the upbuilding of the county and the enhancing of the comfort and happiness of its citizens.
