Van Wyck's mother was Mary Smith Gardiner, daughter of Colonel Abraham Gardiner, who was one of the lineal descendants of Lion Gardiner, of Gardiner's Island.

Coming of a race of those who had from the earliest history of the country been foremost in patriotism, generosity and the development of all the nobler traits of human nature, descended from the Van Cortlandts, Van Rensselaers, Gardiners and Van Wycks, whose names are so intimately interwoven with the early history of our own country, he never forgot the traditions of his ancestry, but was always the genial, high-toned, honorable gentleman.

Beginning life under these favorable auspices, he entered Princeton College and graduated with the class of 1845.

He began the study of medicine under the care of Dr. Adrian K. Hoffman. He was afterwards a student at the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New York, where he enjoyed the benefit of the instructions of the celebrated Dr. Willai'd Parker.

He graduated in 1849, and was afterwards appointed by President Taylor, United States inspector of drugs, at the port of New York.

While holding this position he became interested in the firm of Radway & Co., in which he still held an interest at the time of his death.

In 1862 he was appointed by President Lincoln assessor of internal revenue for the Fourth District of New York.

He organized the district and continued to administer it ably and efficiently until it was consolidated in 1871. In .January, 1882, President Arthur appointed him superintendent of the United States Assay Office in New York, to succeed Mr. Thomas C. Acton, who was made Assistant Treasurer of the United States.