I found an 1884 an article about Wesley Bursee being lost in the snow when I was searching for articles on the Scofield family of Dayton. Does that correspond with the date of death of the Wesley Bersee in this thread? The article can be found on www.fultonhistory.com.

Jamestown (NY) Evening Journal, Thursday, Jan 17, 1884

Man Missing

Wesley Bersee, of Dayton. N. Y., Thought to have Perished in the Snow.

Living in the town of Dayton near the county line is a widow by the name of Bersee. Her husband's brother, Wesley Bersee, makes his home with her, himself and wife having separated and his children living in Michigan. Wednesday, Jan. 9th, Bersee went to Cottage, Cattaraugus county, and procuring some tobacco, started to walk home. He stopped at the house of George Scofield, had supper, and resumed his way home, going "across lots."' Since that time he has not been seen by his friends. He was over seventy years old and had considerable money on his person. -The distance from Scofield's to his home was about, a mile and his way was through a piece of woods and across a gulf. When he was discovered to be lost a party set out in search and found his tracks to the woods where traces ceased. It is feared he met his death in the terrible storm that raged last week and his remains, are covered by the snow. One hundred men searched for him all day Saturday and the search has not yet been given up.