Hi, I'm not related to Melvin and had no prior knowledge of him or his family. I just have access to the Coudersport papers on microfilm so I looked to see if I could find anything. I found an article about his death in the Potter Enterprise newspaper, published Jan 30, 1901. My transcription (with spellings from the newspaper) follows:
"FELL INTO VAT OF HOT WATER
Such was the fate of Melvin Kochlar - Was Horribly Scalded
The Young Man Died Saturday
Melvin Kochlar, a young man who came here from near Bellefonte about three years ago, met with a horrible accident at the Basket Factory Thursday afternoon. He was engaged in rolling logs into a vat of boiling water, when he lost his footing and fell into the vat, landing partially on the log. Richard Palmer, who was working with the young man, resued him from the boiling, steaming water, but not in time to save him from being terribly scalded. As soon as Mr. Kochlar was pulled from the vat his outer clothing was removed, which greatly lessened the seriousness of his condition. He was removed to his boarding house and medical aid quickly summoned. When his under clothing was removed large portions of skin adhered to the garments. It was found that the lower portions of his body was badly scalded, particularly the left side. From his knees down he was not burned, on account of having worn heavy felt boots and rubbers. Mr Kochlar has been given every attention possible and the best of medical attendance, and today (Friday) his chances between life and death are about even.
LATER- At about 4 o'clock Saturday morning Mr. Kochlar died. He was an industrious young man of good reputation, and his unassuming, reticent manner did not bring about him a very large number of friends and acquaintances, but those who knew him speak very highly of him. A particularly sad part of the young man's sudden death is the fact that he was making preparations to soon marry a young woman of this place. The blow to his fiancee is a most severe one."
Hope this helps!