Arthur's parents, Carl and Lena, were married September 16, 1880 in Douglas County, Nebraska. In the 1900 Census, Lena states she has given birth to 11 children, but only 4 children are currently living. Furthermore in the 1910 Census, Lena divulges that she has given birth to 12 children, but 4 are currently living.

1880
Carl Cessin [Zessin] married Lena Melcher on 16 Sept. 1880 at Douglas County, Nebraska

1885
Charles Fessien/Fesseur [ Zessin ] in the 1885 Nebraska State Census as of JUNE 1, 1885
Residence ~ Green Garden Precinct, Madison County, Nebraska
Age ~ 32
Birth Year ~ abt. 1853
Birth Place ~ Prussia
Parent's Birth Place ~ Prussia
Occupation ~ Farmer
Zessin Household Members ~
Charles ~ Head Male Prussia 32 Prussia Prussia / Farmer
Ellen ~ Wife Female Prussia 24 Prussia Prussia
Emma ~ Daughter Female Nebraska 3 Prussia Prussia
Phoebe ~ Daughter Female Nebraska 1 Prussia Prussia
Fred Malkhist ~ Father-in-law Male Prussia 69 Prussia Prussia / Assistant

1900
Lena Zessin in the 1900 United States Federal Census as of JUNE 1, 1900
Home in 1900 ~ Shell Creek Precinct, Madison County, Nebraska
Race & Gender ~ White & Female
Age ~ 37
Birth Date ~ Jan 1863
Birthplace ~ Germany
Parent's Birthplace ~ Germany
Father's Name ~ Fred Melcher
Marital Status ~ Married
Marriage Year ~ 1880
Years Married ~ 20 years
Mother to How Many Living Children ~ 4
Mother to How Many Births ~ 11
Zessin Household Members ~
Carl Zessin ~ 48 Head Male Germany Apr 1852 Germany Germany / Immigrated in 1870 / Saloon Keeper
Lena Zessin ~ 37 Wife Female Germany Jan 1863 Germany Germany
Emma F. Zessin ~ 18 Daughter Female Nebraska Apr 1882 Germany Germany
Phoebe E. H. Zessin ~ 16 Daughter Female Nebraska Dec 1883 Germany Germany
Clara I. E. Zessin ~ 14 Daughter Female Nebraska Oct 1885 Germany Germany
Josie Zessin ~ 6 Daughter Female Washington Sep 1893 Germany Germany
Guy R Zessin ~ 2 Nephew Male Nebraska Mar 1898
Fred Melcher ~ 83 Father-in-Law Male Germany Dec 1816 Germany Germany / Immigrated in 1871 / Widowed