 McPhee moved to Hobart, Tasmania in 1908, where he ran a business college for a number of years.He also started a stationery and business equipment company (J. C. McPhee Pty Ltd), was co-proprietor of the "Huon Times" newspaper, and the director of several Tasmanian companies.McPhee was a strong supporter of the temperance movement, and was supported by temperance interests when he unsuccessfully stood for election to the Tasmanian House of Assembly at the 1916 election and a subsequent 1918 by-election.