Born in Camden, New Jersey, Browning attended the Friends' School.

At an early age engaged in the wholesale dry goods business in Camden.

He served as a member of the Camden Board of Education and the city council.

Browning was elected as a Republican to the Sixty-second Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Henry C. Loudenslager.

He was re-elected to the Sixty-third and the three succeeding Congresses and served from November 7, 1911, until he died in the Capitol Building, Washington, D.C., March 24, 1920.