Harmony in Fillmore County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Let's Have "Harmony"

The Biggest Little Town in Southern Minnesota

Photographed by McGhiever, October 5, 2025

1. Let's Have "Harmony" Marker

Inscription.

Original Johnson Store
Sam and Peter Nelson, Lanesboro merchants and Samuel B. Johnson (S.B.), a clerk in the store, started a general store in the summer of 1889. Ben Larson was a partner in the store of Nelson Bros.

In 1889, Hans S. Johnson, Sam Johnson's father, bought the stock from Nelson Bros. and from that date some member of the Johnson family has had a business there. He bought farmland from Edwin Ellis to build his store.

There was a clause in the Ellis deed that was most interesting: "The party of the 2nd part, agrees and promises not to build any barn or stable to be used for horses or cattle behind the store building now built on said lot (March 16, 1889)."

In 1914, Sam Johnson bought the building next to his store which was occupied by T.F. Hallisey as a grocery store and sold it to Mrs. Caroline Anderson. She moved the building to a lot south of the co-op filling station. An addition was made to the original building a 50 ft. x 120 ft. ladies ready-to-wear on that lot. The store was again enlarged in 1924 because more room was needed so an excavation was done under the whole building. This basement

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department store sold hardware, crockery and rubber goods. It later served as a storage room for surplus stock. An open pipe is still in the far corner of the basement which was from the Ellis's deep well and windmill on the property.

The house at the extreme left of the photo was the Ed Ellis home. It was later moved to the T.O. Harstad farm in 1912, and it still stands on 3rd Avenue S.W. Tosten O. Stenvick built the house. There was a deep well at the rear of the Ellis property. Part of the windmill may be seen over the rear of the store.

(Courtesy of Mrs. Ida Johnson)

Sorenson Furniture Store
Theodore A. Sorenson (known as T.A.) came from Spring Valley, Minnesota in 1896 and built the furniture store which he operated until July 1945 when he sold it to G.W. Peterson. He was 87 years old when he retired and lived to be 94 years old. He was also an undertaker. Mr. Sorenson bought the stock of Olaf Seem who had carried a small stock of furniture and caskets since May 22, 1893. Previously this stock had belonged to Tosten Johnson. Mr. Sorenson housed a traveling library in his furniture store and acted as librarian.

Morem's Toggery
S.B.

Let's Have "Harmony" Marker at the southeast corner of Main and 1st Street N. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by McGhiever, October 5, 2025

2. Let's Have "Harmony" Marker at the southeast corner of Main and 1st Street N.

Johnson operated a general store in 1890. He built up his store and operated it until his death in 1939. Morem's Toggery was purchased by Tillman Morem who had clerked for S.B. Johnson for many years. He purchased all the men's clothing stock. His son Donald became a partner in the business.

Mrs. Ida (Sorenson) Johnson
Mrs. Ida (Sorenson) Johnson, wife of Samuel (S.B.) Johnson worked beside her husband in the Toggery until his death in 1939. In those years, and following years until her death, she worked for the betterment of her community and the life of Harmony citizens.

One of her many works was the documentation of Harmony history recording dates, names, business owners, location by building, exchange of ownership, weddings, deaths and endless other details in scrapbooks, diaries and in a variety of binders. These works were donated to the Harmony Area Historical Society and will be a source documenting Harmony history for many generations to come. This very unique lady left behind a unique gift for her village of Harmony, Minnesota.

Born in 1880 in a log cabin near Fountain, Minnesota, she attended schools in Spring Valley,

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moving with her family to Harmony where she grew to be a community leader involved in politics at both state and federal levels. She was a leader in the county and state historical societies, in getting a hospital established in the village and in her church and community social activities. She was a coin collector and a stamp collector and established a museum to show her artifacts in her own building that was constructed to appear as an old log cabin. Ida also left a collection of poetry, some directed to friends, but all showing the wisdom gained since her log cabin beginning.

Perhaps two of her greatest joys were meeting the crown Prince of Norway and her work during World War II using her short wave radio to monitor broadcasts from Germany to learn the status of prisoners and then notifying their loved ones at home. There are numerous letters in her files from grateful families.

Of course, many individuals shared in documenting the history of this community, but Ida Johnson's lifetime of work deserves special recognition in this and other displays in this project.

Original Poem by Ida S. Johnson—November 1958

Let Us Give Thanks
Let us give thanks this Thanksgiving Day,
For family, friends, and life itself;
For the sun that shines, and the grains that grow,
And grass and water, and leaves that blow
From trees that shelter man and beast
Let us give thanks.

Let us give thanks that we know by sight
The changing seasons, and the day and night,
In this turbulent world that we know as life,
How good to hear above the strife,
The gleeful laugh of a child at play,
Let us give thanks.

Let us give thanks that our nation survives,
Years ago, following a Winter of want,
A tiny band, both hungry and gaunt;
Who came to this country, and braves a new world,
Heard Gov. Bradford pass out the word,
"Let Us Give Thanks."

Did you say, "What have I to be thankful for?"
Now how much more should we today,
Where earthly blessings never cease;
Give thanks to HIM who shows the way,
That leads to Heavenly joy and peace,
Let us give thanks.

Johnson's Fairway
Upon retirement of his mother, Mrs. Ida S. Johnson, Harold handled a complete line of groceries and meats and the store was known as "Johnson's Fairway."

Ben Franklin
Upon retirement of her mother, Mrs. Ida S. Johnson, Ruth, her daughter, acquired the ladies department and operated it as a Ben Franklin store. The photo shows Ruth in a section of the ladies department with all the beautiful hats for sale.

Riseland–McGee Building
Riseland and McGee started out as partners, built their own building, and were in the hardware business. They were also carpenters. Later Renard Riseland purchased the hardware store and his son Lawrence became his partner.

William McGee and his son Bill managed a grocery business in the Riseland and McGee building.

Erected 2017 by the Harmony Area Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1889.

Location. 43° 33.309′ N, 92° 0.596′ W. Marker is in Harmony, Minnesota, in Fillmore County. It is at the intersection of Main Avenue N. (County Road 44) and 1st Street NE, on the right when traveling north on Main Avenue N.. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 70 Main Avenue N, Harmony MN 55939, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Minnesota

and in Greater Rochester.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Corn Belt,

and in the Driftless Area — Bluff Country.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: A different marker also named Let's Have "Harmony" (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Let's Have "Harmony" (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Let's Have "Harmony" (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Let's Have "Harmony" (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Let's Have "Harmony" (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Let's Have "Harmony" (within shouting distance of this marker); Historic McMichael Grain Elevator Preservation Project (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Heritage of Downtown Preston (approx. 8.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Harmony.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 17, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 17, 2026, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. This page has been viewed 9 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 17, 2026, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota.