William H. Brine, deputy warden of the Wyoming State Penitentiary, was born in Calhoun county, Texas, July 8, 1871, a son of John and Katherine (Keenan) Brine, who were natives of the Lone Star state, where they were reared and married. The father became one of the big stockmen and prominent farmers of Texas, where he continued to reside until called to his final rest in 1901. He had long survived his wife, who died in 1880. In their family were two children.
    William H. Brine, the younger, spent his boyhood days in Texas and after his textbooks were put aside worked for his father in connection with the cattle industry. After leaving home he was employed as a cowboy on various large ranches and by prominent stockmen in the Panhandle of Texas and in New Mexico, there residing at the time when life was often an exciting experience, owing to the lawlessness of the cowboys and the fact that desperate characters entered the state and seemed to enjoy stirring up trouble in that section. In 1900 Mr. Brine made his way northward to Colorado and began prospecting in the mountains of the northern part of the state. There he located and proved up on some claims, which he was forced to sell in order to raise the necessary funds to meet his immediate expenses. His land has since proven rich in ore and those acquiring it have become wealthy. In 1905 Mr. Brine gave up prospecting and removed to Rawlins. In 1910 he was appointed a guard in the Wyoming State Penitentiary and later was appointed deputy warden. He is a man of cool judgment, is never excited and is splendidly fitted for the responsible position which he holds. He is devoid of all fear and he commands the respect of those who are under restrictions in the penitentiary. They know that while he is not a harsh taskmaster, he will not permit the rules of the institution to be broken.
    In June, 1914, Mr. Brine was married to Miss Flora Evans, of Rawlins, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Graves Evans, of Ottawa, Canada. Fraternally Mr. Brine is connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. His life experiences have been broad and varied, connecting him with many phases of the development of the west, from the cowboy life in the south to the mining experiences of Colorado and now to government service in Wyoming.