Matthias Dek (1699-1777) immigrated in 1736 to Philadelphia, probably from Switzerland or from the Palatinate of Germany, and settled in the Tulpehocken area of Berks County, Pennsylvania. Descendants (usually spelling the surname Deck) and relatives lived in Pennsylvania, New York, Michigan, Ohio and elsewhere. Includes Bevill, Brossman, Hower, Peiffer (Pfeiffer), Reimert, Snyder (Schneider), Walborn, Weidman, Zerbe and related families.