Frank Wissel

I was searching Google using the names of the Texas Wendish settlers to see if any of them had been awarded patents. While looking at the results of the search for “Herman Julius Seydler patent” I found one that piqued my curiosity. However, it was not about a patent but about a book detailing a […]

If you think there is something I should be researching, you can now contact me at FranksFindings on Facebook. I am currently looking for more Wends who have been awarded patents. If you know of anyone in your family who has been awarded a patent, or even you yourself, let me know and I will

I am very excited and wanted to let you know that I have written my first book, and after sending it to at least a half a dozen publishers and receiving as many rejections, the book has been published. A big “Thank you!” goes out to Weldon Mersiovsky of the Wendish Research Exchange and Mr. Ron Lammert

Herman Symmank and his grandson William Daniel Symmank were awarded a total of 15 patents in the United States during their lifetimes. Herman was awarded 2 patents with his co-author Ernst Matthijetz on their plow designs in 1893 and 1896. William Daniel Symmank was awarded 13 U.S. patents between 1959 and 1988. Del Symmank, son

Weldon Mersiovsky sent me an email earlier this year and asked me if I could help a woman named Carol Watson find a patent issued to her grandfather.  I agreed to take on the task and contacted Carol Watson.  She told me that het grandfather was August Schkade and that he was born on September

After the TWHS printed my article on Andreas Matthijetz’s patents, Weldon Mersiovsky cotacted me and asked for my help.  A reader of the article had told Weldon that she thought that a relative of hers had been awarded a patent for a cotton press and wanted to find it.  Weldon asked me if I could help

In mid-2013, I looked at the Wendish Research Exchange website for the first time. I started to explore it from top to bottom. While I was exploring “The Wendish Research Project” Blog, I came across an item titled “Contemporary Materials Concerning the 1853 Emigration of Wends to Texas” by Dr. Joseph Wilson. What I found

Andreas received an additional 3 patents from 1892 to 1898. Two were for farm equipement and the other one was for a metallic railroad tie. Between Andreas’ last two patent submissions he moved his family from Texas to California. Why did he make that move? Why did he invent a metallic railroad tie? Andreas Mattijetz

Andreas Mattijetz’ first three patents were for a baling-press. His first design was awarded a patent in 1888. In 1890, Andreas redesigned the baling-press and was awarded his second patent. Andreas was evidently not completely happy with his baling-press design as he modified the 1890 design and was awarded his third baling-press patent in 1892.

Did you know that Andreas Mattijetz, a Wend, was an inventor? Neither did I and he was my great grandfather (my mother’s paternal grandfather). Thanks to Weldon Mersiovsky and Kathe Richards of the Wendish Research Exchange, I found out Andreas was awarded six patents! Weldon Mersiovsky and I had been corresponding with each other through