Patrick Bottiger received a B.A. in History and a B.A. in Social Science in 2001 from Saint John’s University and completed his M.A. at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in 2003.  His M.A. focused on the personal relationships between William Henry Harrison, Tecumseh, the Prophet, and Elihu Stout in Indiana Territory from 1807 to 1812.  He is now ABD and finishing a dissertation under the direction of Prof. Joshua Piker on the racial relationships between Vincennes and Prophetstown, two communities in Indiana Territory.  Divided by internal factionalism, each community looked towards the other as a means to vocalize and address its own internal debates.  Contrary to the usual arguments, neither town united behind a racial identity nor attacked the other in order to protect their community.  Rather, a multiplicity of peculiar connections (debates over slavery, biased Indian agents, Indians manipulating the Americans) and interests pushed the sides towards conflict.  He has received dissertation research fellowships from the University of Michigan, Indiana University, and the Filson Society.  Mr. Bottiger has taught both sections of the U.S. Survey as well as the survey in American Indian history.